Van Gogh, Vincent Willem

(1853-1890)

   painter

   Vincent Willem Van Gogh, one of the most famous of the impressionists and a precursor of fauvism and expressionism, was born in Groot-zundert, Brabant, Holland. The son of a Calvinist pastor, he worked at the Goupil art gallery in The Hague (1869), in London (1873-74), then in Paris (1874-75). Of a tormented, mystical nature, he undertook an evangelizing mission among the miners of Borinage that ended in disappointment. In 1880, he studied drawing at Antwerp and did sketches of miners that were inspired by jean-françois millet, whom he admired. In 1882, he went to work with his cousin, the painter Mauve. He produced several drawings and watercolors and was introduced to the use of oils. Back at his family home in Nuenen (December 1883-85), he worked furiously, producing landscapes, still lifes, and peasant scenes with a somber realism that already revealed his restless, uneasy spirit (Les Mangeurs de pommes de terre, 1885). During a stay at Antwerp, Belgium (1885-86), he became familiar with Rubens and discovered Japanese prints that inspired him to modify his view of color. After several works done in the same realistic vein (Les Souliers avec lacets, 1886), he joined his brother Theo in Paris, who never failed to encourage him and give him material support (their correspondence has been published: Lettres à Théo). He studied at the Cormon studio where he met henri de toulouse-lautrec and émile Bernard, who introduced him to paul gauguin. Influenced above all by the impressionist canvases, he also adopted clear colors and fragmented brushstrokes (Tournesols, summer 1887). During this very personal period (self-portraits, Le Père Tanguy, 1888), he settled at Arles (February 1888) and, in a time of intense creativity, painted many landscapes (Vue d'Arles aux iris, La Plaine de Crau, Les Barques sur la plage, the series of "Sunflowers"), and portraits, (L'Arlésienne, Mme Ginoux). Abandoning traditional representation and illusionist perspective, he simplified forms and used a bright colorization that expressed his strong sentiments and emotions. He wanted to create a community of artists and persuaded Gauguin to join him (october 1888). But following a violent argument, the latter left and Van Gogh, in a state of despair, cut off his left ear (Autoportrait à l'oreille coupée, Portrait du docteur Rey, Berceuse). Suffering from hallucinations, he was institutionalized at Arles, then at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (1889-90). in between his crises he continued to work (Les Blés jaunes au cyprès, La Nuit étoilée, Champ d'oliviers), modulating volume with a clearly strong brushstroke and producing startling forms with intense colors. Returning to Paris in May 1890, he finally settled at Auvers-sur-Oise, looked after by Doctor Paul gachet, the friend of camille pissarro and Gauguin. In certain works his style intensifies (L'Église d'Auvers, 1890), but at the same time his work seems to loose its tormented character and expresses a dramatic lyricism (Le Champ de blé aux corbeaux). on July 27, 1890, he shot himself and died the next day, mostly unknown.