Transcript Vincent Van Gogh 1853-1890

Self Portrait - 1886
Vincent Van Gogh had a very short, tragic
life. Together with Paul Cezanne, Georges
Seurat and Paul Gauguin, he is ranked as
one of the founding fathers of modern art.
THE EARLY YEARS
 Born in Groot-Zundert, Holland.
 Son of a pastor.
 Brought up in a religious and cultured atmosphere
and was himself extremely devout.
 Highly emotional and lacking in self-confidence.
 Worked a variety of jobs until 1880 when decided
to become an artist (age 27).
 Determined to give happiness by creating beauty.
 Began to study art in Belgium.
 Works this period are somber-toned, and sharply
lit.
 Example: The Potato Eaters (1885)
 1886 went to Paris to join brother Theo.
 Studied and met famous artists including
Pissarro, Monet, and Gauguin.
 Began to lighten palette and painting with
Impressionistic strokes.
 Time in Paris compromised his health.
Red Poppies - 1886
 Went to Arles to regain health.
 Hoped his friends would join him and establish a
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school of art.
Was joined by Gauguin – results were disasterous.
In a fit of madness he went after Gauguin with a
knife – Gauguin stopped him.
Later that day Van Gogh cut off a part of his own
ear lobe and offered it to a woman as a gift.
At this time went between fits of madness and
being okay.
 Was a prolific painter during this time
Vincent’s Bedroom in Arles - 1888
Sunflowers - 1888
Irises – St. Remy - 1888
With his grip on
sanity slipping, he
committed himself to
an asylum in SaintRemy for treatment.
When he seemed
better he was sent to
Auvers-sur-Olse to be
watched by Dr.
Gachet.
Portrait of Dr. Gachet - 1890
He viewed his life as
horribly wasted, personally
failed and impossible. On
July 27, 1890 Van Gogh
attempted suicide by
shooting himself in the
chest. He died two days
later from the wound at
the young age of 37.
Self Portrait With Bandaged Ear and Pipe - 1889
During his short career he created
approximately 900 paintings, but sold only one:
The Red Vineyard for the equivalent of $80.
 Was treated with a drug, Digitalis. This drug can
cause one to see in yellow or see yellow spots.
 Drank Absinthe, toxic alcoholic drink. Contains
Thujone, which in high doses can cause one to see
objects in yellow.
 It was thought that Van Gogh may have had lead
poisoning from his paints. This leads to lead
poisoning/swelling of the retinas, and can cause
one to see light in circles like halos around objects.
Starry Night - 1889
Starry Night Over the Rhone - 1888
 He suffered from seizures that doctors
believed was from epilepsy.
 Was possibly bipolar as evidenced by his
extreme enthusiasm and dedication
followed by exhaustion, depression and
ultimately suicide.
 Often painted outdoors – some of the many
symptoms he talks about may have been the
result of sunstroke.