Chronology of Vincent Van Gogh - World of Biography

CHRONOLOGY

1853

Vincent van Gogh was born in a small village of Groot Zundert, Holland to Theodore van Gogh and Anna Cornelia nee Carbentus.

1857

Theo, Vincent’s younger brother and loyal supporter was born.

1864

Vincent began schooling in Zevenbergen and studied French, English and German.

1869

A 16-year-old Vincent went to work for his uncle at Goupil and Co. in The Hague.

1872

Vincent and Theo begin a life-long correspondence.

1873

Vincent is transferred to the London branch of Goupil, but dismissed.

1876

He left Goupil in early spring and took up a post of teacher, but resigned to become an assistant to a Methodist minister.

1877

Vincent left England and took up a temporary job in a bookshop. He then pursued religious studies in Amsterdam.

1878

He moved to a coal mining district in Belgium to become an evangelist.

1879

His work among the miners continued where he devoted all his energy towards helping the miners giving them clothes and food that he could ill afford.

1880

A turning point, when Vincent devoted himself to painting the miners and poverty stricken weavers. Theo supports his brother financially.

1882

Vincent met Sein, a pregnant prostitute and they moved in together.

1883

He ended his relationship with Sein. He also traveled to Drente in Northern Holland and painted the bleak landscape and the peasant workers.

1884

Began a relationship with a neighbor’s daughter, Margot Begemann. Both families were opposed to the marriage and Margot attempted to poison herself.

1885

Painted The Potato Eaters, his first great work. Became interested in Japanese woodcuts.

1886

Moved in with his brother Theo in Paris.

1887

Throughout the year Vincent continued work in Paris. He frequented cafes with other painters and argued about art with Bernard and Gauguin. Over the year he also experimented with some different styles, including Japonaiseries and Pointillism.

1888

Left Paris and moved to Arles in the south of France. Paul Gauguin joined him. In December of the same year, he attacked Gauguin with a razor. After the failed attack, Vincent lost all reason and cut off his earlobe.

1889

Due to the increased frequency of his mental breakdowns, Vincent entered the mental asylum at Saint-Remy-de-Provence.

1890

In May Vincent moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, just north of Paris under the care of Dr Gachet. However, on July 27, Vincent on a walk shot himself with a pistol. He died early morning on July 29, with his brother by his side.

1891

Theo died, six months after Vincent.

1914

Theo’s body is exhumed and buried next to Vincent in Auvers-sur-Oise.

1962

Vincent van Gogh Foundation is established in Amsterdam.

1973

The Van Gogh museum is built by the Dutch Government, which holds hundreds of Vincent’s works as well as a huge archive containing letters and documents.