The Amazing Van Gogh
The Amazing Van Gogh
Written By: Sitara Nair
Vincent Van Gogh is regarded as one of the best artists of all time. His work moved many, with its bright colors and different techniques, but in addition to his talent, he was quite an interesting man. Let’s learn more about who Van Gogh and his artwork!
Early Life
Born on March 30th, 1853, in the Netherlands, Van Gogh was a serious and caring child. He was the oldest child, and by the time he reached elementary or middle school, his passion for art begun to thrive. According to Adelphi University, he attended a traditional private school where he was quite unhappy, prompting his mother to help him discover his passion for art. In addition to his growing artistic skills, Van Gogh was fluent in German, French, and English by the age of 15.
In his twenties, Van Gogh began working at his uncle's art dealership, Goupil & Cie, first in Paris and later in London. Throughout his early career and artworks, Van Gogh struggled with his mental health. He disliked the ideals of an art dealership and struggled to find his place in the world. He soon embraced religion and became a missionary in Belgium, but was ultimately dismissed for his unpopular beliefs.
Artwork
Best known for his paintings, Vincent Van Gogh is regarded as one of the best artists of all time. Let’s take a look at his most popular pieces and dive into what some of them mean.
Van Gogh painted this self-portrait in 1887–88 while in Paris. He used short brushstrokes and bright, opposite colors to make the painting stand out. Some colors have faded, so it doesn’t look as bold as it once did.
Picture From: Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh painted The Langlois Bridge in March 1888 in Arles, France. The sky was grey, and the scene shows a canal where people did laundry, with linens drying on the far bank. He used strong diagonal lines in the piece, inspired by Japanese prints he and his brother Theo collected.
Picture From: Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh painted his famous Sunflowers in Arles in 1888 and 1889. He made five large paintings using only shades of yellow to show how one color could still create variety. To Van Gogh, sunflowers meant “gratitude.” He hung two of them in his friend Gauguin’s room when they lived together.
Picture From: Van Gogh Museum
The Starry Night is one of Van Gogh’s most popular and widely recognized paintings. He created it while at a mental hospital, inspired by the view from his window. With bold colors, it expresses lots of emotion, making it a fan favorite.
Picture From: Van Gogh Gallery
Legacy
Although Vincent van Gogh actually sold only a few works during his lifetime, he is now one of the most renowned artists in the world. His bold colors, fun style, and unique brushwork inspired generations of artists to come!
References
"Early Life." Adelphi University, https://home.adelphi.edu/~mc21597/earlylife.html.
"Starry Night." Van Gogh Gallery, https://www.vangoghgallery.com/painting/starry-night.html.
"The Productive Decade." Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vincent-van-Gogh/The-productive-decade.
Van Gogh Museum. https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en.