Vincent van Gogh

1853-1890
Born in Netherlands
Oldest of 6 kids
Many unsuccessful jobs
Very poor
Brother Theo supported
him
Often didnt eat much to
buy art supplies
1881-1890 almost 900
paintings
20 self-portraits
The Potato Eaters
Considered van
Goghs first
masterpiece
Different from later
works
Color is duller
Before studied
Impressionalism
Peasant life and
rural landscapes
were a favorite topic
for Vincent
Before and After Impressionalism

Dark mudding colors Bright colors

Literal representation of Free forming lines-- wavy
the church, sky and and appear to be bending
surroundings or melting
Color is very minimal
Sunflowers
Famous for vibrant
colors
Notice the different
stages of life the
flowers create
Many artists have
tried to copy
Yellow was Goghs
favorite color
Signed all his work
Vincent
The Bedroom at Arles, 1887
Van Goghs
bedroom
Used color to
express himself
Simplify color
Resemble rest, sleep
Sent to brother Theo
to show where
stayed
Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear
Van Gogh had a
disease called
epilepsy
During one of his fits
he went after a
friend with a razor
The friend left, but
Van Gogh cut his
ear with it
He committed self to
an asylum
Portrait of Dr. Gachet
Van Goghs doctor after
spending time in the
asylum
Mentally instable
Insomnia
Van Gogh recognized this
madness as a disease
Van Gogh thought would
have painted better
without disease
Painting sold for 82.5
million in 1990
Highest payment to that
date
Irises, sold for 53.9 million in 1987
Starry Night
Starry Night over the Rhone
Cafe Terrace at Night
3 famous Starry
Night paintings
This adds aspect of
people
Stars faded in
background
Strong belief that
must master
drawing then add
color
The Red Vineyard
Van Gogh was never
famous while he was
alive
His brother, Theo
bought his paintings
This is the only painting
Theo sold while Vincent
was alive
Sold at auction months
before Vincent died
Sold for 400 francs in
Brussels