The Life of Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent was born on March 30, 1853 in Zundert, Noord-Brabant. He was the oldest of six children. His sisters were Will, Anna and Lies. His brothers were Theo and Cor. There isn’t much to tell about his childhood, although, we do know that he was a quiet child, and wasn’t known to have any artistic ability. Later on, the artist revealed that he had a happy childhood. He received a partial education. He attended the school in his village, Zundert, for a year. He attended a boarding school in Zevenberg for two years. He also went to high school in Tilburg for eighteen months. Then, at the age of sixteen, he got a job at The Hague Gallery of the French art dealers, Goupil and Co., where his uncle worked. Later on, his brother, Theo, worked at the art gallery. Vincent and Theo started sending letters to each other; this would last until Vincent’s death on July 27, 1890. 

In 1873, the art gallery moved him to London, and then two year later, to Paris. In Paris, he lost all thought of becoming an art dealer. In Paris, he took on religion and threw away of all of his modern world books. In his sister’s words, “he became daffy and piety”. After taking on religion, he was fired from the art gallery. After he had no work, he took a job as a teacher’s assistant in England, but he felt there was no future for him there, so he moved back to Holland at the end of the year (1876-1877). After moving back to Holland, he wanted to follow his father’s example, and become a clergyman. His parents paid for private lessons, these would help him get into the university he needed to learn to become a clergyman. This was another false start.

Vincent quit the education system, and traveled to the mining district in Belgium, after lessons on how to be an evangelist (a person who seeks to convert others to the Christian faith, especially by public preaching.). This led him to connect with the miners and their families. In 1879, his parents were lost hope and thought of him as a social misfit. His father once spoke in anger, and threatened to admit him to a mental asylum.

Future of Art

After a time of isolation, he decided to follow his Brother Theo’s advice. Therefore, he became an artist. Vincent’s parents, however, did not approve of this new career path, and chose not to support him. After this, they passed all of Vincent’s financial responsibilities to Theo.

When he decided to become an artist, no one knew he had any artistic talent, not even himself.  Later on, he found that he had a feel for bold, and “harmonious” colors, and creating simple, but memorable works. He went to Brussels to study at the art academy, but left after a few months. After leaving the academy, he found an artist who would turn out to be an important friend while he stayed in the Netherlands.

In April 1881, he moved to Noord-Brabant and moved into his parent’s house. He aimed to master the art of drawing. He choose to draw from what he saw in a peasant’s life. While practicing art, he experimented with many materials. At the end of 1881, he moved to Hague, and focused on drawing. His cousin by marriage also gave him lesson on art.

While in Hague, he produced many paintings, and would draw real people whenever possible. He was working toward becoming a figure painter. He wondered to different places to try different drawing techniques, like the Heathland of Drenthe, or Nuenen where he modeled himself.

Throughout his life, Vincent Van Gogh has painted many well-known paintings. Some of his most famous paintings are Wheatfield with Cypresses, Bedroom in Arles, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, Irises, Sunflowers, and The Starry Night.                      

Today, his artwork is admired all around the world. I also admire his work, and one of my favorite pieces is the Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette.

Vincent’s life ended when he shot himself in the chest, he died two days later on July 27, 1890. Theo, his brother, stored all of Vincent’s painting, and then died six months later. Theo’s widow returned to Holland and dedicated her life to allowing people to recognize her brother-in-laws artwork.

Klazema , Geri , ed. Master pieces in the Van Gogh Mueseum . New ed. Paulus Potterstraat 7 : Van Gogh Mueseum Enterprises B.V., 2002. Print.