Vincent Willem Van Gogh is a post-impressionist artist from the Netherlands. His work had a great influence on the painting of the twentieth century. Elements of his style were adapted by Howard Hodgkin, Willem de Cunning and other artists who later became leaders in abstract expressionism.
Van Gogh is an amazing outstanding person, an eccentric artist. A wide circle of people knows little about him, except that he “cut off his ear” and was a rather strange person. His life was not interested, because at one time the artist could only dream of fame. He became famous after death. Now his paintings are bought for millions of dollars.
If you are a fan of the work of this artist or just fond of art, pay attention to our article. Below is a ranking of interesting facts about Van Gogh - a biography of the great artist.
10. Threw out studies several times
Vincent was a complex child, wayward, moody. He dropped out several times. At the age of 13, he entered Willem II College, the boy was very capable. He achieved success in learning languages, got acquainted with drawing. In the middle of the school year, he dropped out without explaining the reasons.
After some time, Vincent decided to become a pastor, like his father. He entered the university at the Department of Theology, but he did not like studying. He did not hesitate to leave these classes.
He entered the gospel school, but changed his mind about studying because of the high payment. At the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Van Gogh studied for only a year. At that time, he seriously thought about drawing, but felt that education for the artist does not have a big role.
9. Started painting in adulthood
By his example, Van Gogh showed that it is never too late to find a new hobby and change the scope of activity. He began to paint in adulthood. Vincent was then 27 years old.
Van Gogh decided to get an education, but a year later he changed his mind. His real teacher was the book of Charles Barg "Course in drawing training." He studied for a long time on his own, and at 32, he again sat at the school desk - a painting class, the Academy of Fine Arts.
Vincent’s life was short; he died at the age of 37. For 10 years of creativity, he created 2,100 works. He painted a large number of portraits, landscapes, still lifes, self-portraits.
8. Worked as an art dealer
Since childhood, Vincent was interested in art, and he had the opportunity to build his career in this field. Van Gogh's uncle helped him get a job at Goupil & Cie, a company that sold art.
Van Gogh became an art dealer. He really liked this work. He received the first idea of painting and loved it with all his heart.
7. Cut off his earlobe
Little is known about this story, but there are so many shocking versions. The most reliable is the skirmish of Van Gogh with his other Paul Gauguin. Vincent had an obsession, he dreamed of opening an alliance of artists. Paul supported him, but these were just empty promises.
During another conflict, Van Gogh pounced on Paul with a razor in his hands. He could not harm a friend, but his aggression sought a way out. Vincent returned home and cut off his earlobe. He wrapped it in a scarf and gave it to a girl named Rachelle. She was in a difficult financial situation and got a job as a maid in a brothel. Apparently, the artist thus wanted to help her.
After this incident, Van Gogh was placed in a psychiatric hospital, where he again tried to injure himself.
6. Was in love with a cousin
Van Gogh was in love with his cousin Kay Fos. He had liked the girl for a long time, but when they met at Van Gogh's parental home, his feelings flared up with renewed vigor. Kay Fos at that time was 25 years old. She lost her husband, left alone with the child. Vincent saw in her eyes the “greatest sorrow” that shocked him to the core.
He was not afraid to confess his love, but the cousin was afraid of his revelations and hastened to leave. The artist was already quite strange then, so the girl was very scared. Vincent did not accept the refusal, he began to pursue her, write letters.
Kay was forced to talk about Van Gogh's passion for his parents. A major scandal erupted, but he did not stop the persecution. Kay's parents intervened in the situation, Vincent retreated from his plans.
5. Suffered from epilepsy
It is believed that Van Gogh's Strange Behavior - Nothing But Epilepsy. The artist suffered from this disease. It is impossible to say with certainty how reliable this information is, but epilepsy really had a place to be.
The last two years of his life, the artist was subject to frequent epileptic seizures at irregular intervals.
4. The picture "Starry Night" wrote in a hospital
The most famous painting by Van Gogh was painted by him in a psychiatric hospital. “Starry Night” is a view from the window of the artist’s bedroom. The picture depicts a non-existent village.
Van Gogh wrote it in one day, this is the only image of the night in a series of views from the window of his bedroom. At the moment, the picture is stored in the New York Museum of Modern Art.
3. Fantastically quickly wrote recent work
The last years of his life, Van Gogh was in a dim state. Mental illness. He lost touch with reality, did not understand what was happening, but in the intervals between breakdowns he behaved quite adequately. At this time, he preferred to create.
I drew very quickly. In 70 days, 75 paintings and more than a hundred sketches and drawings were created. This stage is called the most fruitful in his life. The artist himself, most likely, would not agree with this opinion. He believed that he had lived a life in vain. Loneliness became his faithful companion; he could not find a place for himself in this world.
2. He shot himself in the chest
After treatment, Van Gogh moved to Auvers-sur-Oise. One day he went for a walk alone. This did not surprise anyone; Vincent often went into the field and drew. This time, he also took with him accessories for drawing.
On a walk, he shot himself in the chest with a pistol, which is used to scare away birds while working in the open air. Either the hand trembled, or Van Gogh did not know the physiology well, but the bullet did not hit the heart, but went a little lower. He was even able to return to the shelter and went to bed.
The hotel owner called a doctor, but he could not help. After an accident of 29 hours, the artist died. He spent the last hours of his life with Theo's younger brother.
Not so long ago an alternative version of the death of Van Gogh appeared. Art historians from America suggest that Vincent was shot dead by one of the teenagers with whom he often visited drinking establishments. The guy did this unintentionally (killing by negligence).
1. The artist’s museum is open in Amsterdam
Vincent's paintings can be admired in the art museum of Amsterdam, which is open in his honor and bears the name of Van Gogh. Opening date - June 2, 1973. The Van Gogh Museum has the largest collection of his paintings and drawings. In addition to his works, you can see the works of Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and other artists.
This museum is very popular with locals and tourists, it is the second most visited in the Netherlands.