Vincent van Gogh is perhaps the most famous example of the tortured artist. You instantly recognize his swirling skies and vibrant sunflowers, but his real life was far more dramatic than any of his canvases. He failed at multiple careers before picking up a brush in his late twenties. Furthermore, he lived in extreme poverty, often trading his work for a hot meal or a place to sleep. His story is one of intense passion, crushing loneliness, and a brotherly bond that changed art history. Let’s explore the life of the man who painted the stars.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh sold only one painting during his entire lifetime. Anna Boch purchased The Red Vineyard for 400 francs shortly before his death. Consequently, he died believing he was a failure.
He did not cut off just his earlobe, as many people believe. A recently discovered sketch from his doctor confirms the injury’s severity. Shockingly, he severed nearly his entire left ear.
He likely gave his severed ear to a maid. Recent research points to a young woman named Gabrielle. She worked at a brothel to pay off medical bills.
Van Gogh painted The Starry Night while looking out the window of an asylum. He checked himself into the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole facility in 1889. While there, he created his most famous works.
He created approximately 900 paintings in just 10 years. Remarkably, he averaged about two paintings a week. Few other artists in history have ever matched this incredible pace.
Before he became an artist, he failed at three other careers. He worked as an art dealer, a school teacher, and a preacher. Unfortunately, employers fired or dismissed him from every position.
He wrote over 800 letters, mostly to his younger brother Theo. These letters provide almost everything we know about him. They detail his thoughts and the specific colors he used.
He famously ate yellow paint during his periods of mental instability. Some historians believe he did this to cheer himself up. However, the bright color was actually toxic.
The villagers of Arles signed a petition to banish him from their town. Eighty residents signed a document calling him “the redheaded madman.” They demanded his removal because his behavior scared them.
He often painted at night by wearing a straw hat lined with lit candles. This dangerous technique allowed him to see his canvas in the dark. Thus, he could work outdoors at any hour.
His most famous work, The Starry Night, was not astronomically accurate. In fact, he considered the painting a failure. He felt the stars looked too large and abstract compared to reality.
A doctor’s son used van Gogh’s paintings for target practice. The son of Dr. Paul Peyron reportedly shot at the canvases. Tragically, he treated the art as worthless garbage.
He walked 100 miles [160 kilometers] just to visit a prospective art school. He lacked the money for a train ticket. Therefore, he simply walked the entire distance in his worn-out shoes.
Vincent and his brother Theo died only six months apart. Theo felt heartbroken by Vincent’s suicide. His health declined rapidly, and they now lie side-by-side in Auvers-sur-Oise.
He painted over 30 self-portraits because he could not afford models. He bought a cheap mirror to capture his own reflection. As a result, we have many images of his face today.
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
This AI-assisted post was rigorously curated and fact-checked for accuracy by:
