|
AT A GLANCE
VINCENT VAN GOGH ( 1853 –
1890)
 Vincent van Gogh was one of the most original artists, largely self-taught. On
the basis of works of the last three years of his life, Van Gogh is generally considered
to be one of the greatest painters of all time. His work has influenced the development of
modern painting greatly. An artist whose work represents the archetype of Expressionism,
the idea of emotional spontaneity in painting.
Vincent took up painting at the age of 27 after working as a salesman
in an art gallery, a French tutor, a theological student and an Evangelist in a poor
mining section of Belgium, the Borinage. Earlier, he had also worked with his uncle in
Goupil and Co, the art dealers. But he soon left due to circumstances, including a failed
attempt at seeking love.
Vincent van Gogh was inspired by the wave of Impressionism during his
years in Paris where he came into contact
|
with the likes of Paul Gauguin, Camille Pissarro, Georges Seurat and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. He was also influenced by the Japanese style of art.
This great artist’s life was a struggle against poverty, insanity, hunger and alcoholism. Always desperately poor, he was sustained by the faith and finance bestowed upon by his lifetime supporter Theo. After Theo’s death, his wife Jo continued efforts to make Vincent’s work known to the world. She was instrumental in bringing to light the correspondence between the two brothers over the years. These letters have helped the world understand the Vincent van Gogh, who was an artist, a brother, and an eccentric. |
During his lifetime he had sold only one painting The Red Vineyard
at Arles. However, he produced more than 800 oil paintings and 700 drawings in his
lifetime. The name of Van Gogh was virtually unknown when he killed himself. His fame
dates back to the early 20th century after which his reputation has never
ceased. His work The Portrait of Dr Gachet sold for $82.5 million, the highest ever
price paid for a painting.
|
|
