Van Gogh (Basic Art)

Today, the works of Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) are among the most famous and expensive in the world. His Sunflowers, The Starry Night, or Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear are known even to those who are not otherwise interested in art. They have indeed become part of the Western visual memory. But when he brought his vivid colors, forceful brushstrokes, and clearly defined forms to the canvas—which would later establish his reputation and inspire generations of expressionist artists—van Gogh was not only fighting against the indifference of his contemporaries, but also against inner demons and bouts of mental confusion. He increasingly suffered from depression and anxiety, and in 1890, shortly after his 37th birthday, he took his own life. This introduction traces Vincent van Gogh’s life from his artistic beginnings through his Parisian period to his final feverish burst of energy in southern France during the last two and a half years of his life.