Vincent van Gogh

Noted for their rough beauty, bold color and, especially in the works created during the more tumultuous periods of his life, some would say the paintings of Vincent van Gogh convey a certain emotional aspect, as well. While van Gogh received very little recognition for his oil paintings during his own lifetime, he is, today, arguably one of the best known and widely appreciated artists of the post-impressionist era. Vincent van Gogh’s oil paintings are highly sought after by collectors of fine art and, as such, van Gogh paintings rank among the most expensive in the world. His most well known works have commanded in excess of $100 million (today’s equivalent) at auction.

Born the son of a Dutch Reformed minister in 1853, Vincent van Gogh is reported to have loved art from an early age, though he would not discover his passion for oil painting until the age of 27 after failed career pursuits as both an art dealer and a clergyman. In 1880, Vincent’s younger brother, Theo, would suggest he take up oil painting. Vincent would pursue this new passion in earnest for the remaining 10 years of his life.

Vincent van Gogh began his painting career with lessons from Anton Mauve at The Hague. Artistic differences would separate teacher and student after just a short time, but van Gogh’s work would continue to display notable similarities to styles and techniques learned during his time under Mauve’s direction, namely in the looseness of his brush strokes and the way he played with light. Van Gogh favored dramatically darker tones, which set him distinctly apart from his teacher.

Van Gogh’s career as an artist spanned just ten years, and many of his most memorable and intriguing works of art were created over a brief three year period, as his mental health began to deteriorate. Many of his oil paintings from this emotionally tumultuous period reflect a somber perspective, as well as a hint of optimism, reflecting his desire to return to a more lucid state of mental health. Van Gogh sold just one painting – The Red Vineyard - during his entire - albeit brief - career. Tragically, Vincent van Gogh died – many believe by his own hand – without so much as an inkling of the acclaim his artwork would someday receive.

As van Gogh’s career (and mental illness) progressed, his oil paintings became increasingly more impassioned with brushstrokes and intensified in color, surface tension, and the movement and vibration of form and line. The Starry Night is a prime example of this shift in van Gogh’s inspirations derived of time, place, and state of mind. The list of famous oil paintings by Vincent van Gogh is long and distinguished, and includes such works as Irisis and Portrait of Doctor Gachet, both of which are responsible for record setting proceeds at auction.

While sharing a house with his brother – and lifelong friend – Theo, in Paris, Vincent van Gogh met other artists, the most influential being Paul Gauguin, who would eventually come to live with van Gogh for a brief period in what would be known simply as The Yellow House. During this period, van Gogh would place an emphasis on Sunflowers, in addition to painting van Gogh’s Chair and Paul Gauguin’s Armchair as well as Bedroom in Arles. Vincent van Gogh’s inimitable fusion of form and content was powerful; dramatic, lyrically rhythmic, imaginative and emotional, for the artist was completely absorbed in the effort to portray his own comprehension of the spiritual essence of man and nature.

Beginning his oil painting career at the age of 27 with limited resources and only 10 years to develop his work, Vincent van Gogh’s life personified sorrow and hardship. Struggling with his own mental anguish and a failure in every career, van Gogh rose above the difficulties of life to change the world of art and create something greater than himself.