Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch painter active in the late 19th century , and is a master of post-impressionism . During his short life, he left behind many works that were rich in emotional expression, using passionate brushwork and vivid colors. In particular, his works such as "Sunflowers" and "Starry Night" are among the most widely known and beloved paintings in the world today.

Vincent van Gogh Biography

• Born March 30, 1853 in Zundert, southern Netherlands.
• In 1869, he worked for the art dealer Goupil & Co., but was fired in 1876.
• After that, he aspired to become a teacher or a missionary, but neither lasted long and he experienced failure.
• Around 1880, he decided to become a painter and began to study painting on his own.
• In 1886, he moved to Paris and became acquainted with Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painters.
• In 1888, he moved to Arles in the south of France and lived with Gauguin , but their relationship fell apart.
• Despite suffering from mental illness and being repeatedly admitted to hospital, he continues to create art energetically.
• On July 29, 1890, in Auvers-sur-Oise, he attempted suicide with a pistol and died two days later (aged 37).

Representative works

• Sunflowers Serial (1888-1889)
• The Starry Night ( 1889)
• Cafe Terrace at Night ( 1888)
• "Bedroom in Arles" (1888)
• Many “Self-Portrait” (1886-1889)
• Cypresses (1889)
• Wheatfield with Crows (1890)

Van Gogh's style of painting changed greatly during his short career. In his early years, he produced realistic works depicting Dutch peasants and workers in dark tones. However, during his time in Paris, he was influenced by the Impressionists and Neo-Impressionists, and began to incorporate bright colors and techniques such as pointillism. During his time in Arles, he established his own style, leaving behind many works that express his inner passion with vivid colors and powerful, undulating brushstrokes. In particular, "Sunflowers" are his signature motif, and are widely known as his most famous work, with the phrase "Van Gogh's Sunflowers."

Also, "Starry Night" depicts the night view from the window of a psychiatric hospital, and its fantastical scenery is loved by many people. Van Gogh was hardly appreciated during his lifetime, but after his death, his unique works came to be highly praised as they are said to have had a major influence on 20th century art. Today, many of his important works are housed at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and are visited by many people from all over the world.