In honor of his memory and the masterpieces he created, let's have a look at who he was and what inspired him.
Name: Vincent Willem van Gogh (named after his grandfather and stillborn brother-a year before the birth of Vincent)
Birth till death: 30 March 1853 till 29 July 1890
Country: Netherlands
Key traits of his artwork: rough beauty, emotional honesty, bold colors
Siblings: two brothers (Theo and Cor), three sisters (Elisabeth, Anna, Willemina)
First Artwork: "The Potato Eaters"
Number of Artworks: Produced more than 2,100 artworks, consisting of 860 oil paintings, and more than 1300 watercolors, drawings, sketches and prints
Types of artwork: Self portraits, landscapes, still lifes of flowers, portraits and paintings of cypresses, wheat fields and sunflowers
Vincent was interested in art even at an early age. Prior to becoming an artist he tried jobs such as a bookstore clerk, an art salesman and a preacher which were all unsuccessful. Vincent was a person who was highly emotional and he lacked self esteem. Thus, when he began as a painter, his artwork were somber earth tones and did not display vivid coloration.
Later, he went to Paris to join his brother Theo and studied with artists such as Cormon and met Pissaro, Monet and Gauguin leading to the beginning of pieces of work lighted up with brighter colors. He went towards south heading to Arles where he hoped to start a school of art. Gauguin joined him but the results were disastrous leading to Gauguin's departure and Vincent's lost of a portion of his ear lobe. Sadly, Vincent began to alternate between fits of madness and lucidity and was sent to an asylum for treatment. Vincent's condition improved and he was released from the asylum and was monitored closely. However, Vincent managed to commit suicide by putting a bullet to his head.
Here are some picture of him:
Age of 13
Age of 18
After a portion of his ear lobe was cut off
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