Biographical Information

• 1853  Born 30th March at Groot Zundert, Netherlands. Van Gogh is today one of the most popular of the Post-Impressionist painters, although he was not widely appreciated during his lifetime. He is now famed for the great vitality of his works which are characterized by expressive and emotive use of brilliant colour and energetic application of impasto paint. The traumas of his life, documented in his many letters to his brother, have tended to dominate and distort modern perceptions of his art.
• 1857 May 1st Vincent's brother Theodorus (Theo) is born. The two brothers are very close all their lives.
• 1864 Vincent goes to boarding school in Zevengergen.
• 1869 Vincent is apprenticed to Paris art dealer, Vincent reads much about art and visits the Hague museums. Theo also joins the art firm.
• 1872 first letter to brother Theo, he continues to write for 18 years, a total of 650 letters.
• 1873 Vincent is transferred to London branch
• 1876 Leaves the gallery, goes to Margate and teachers in a school. Vincent at this stage decides to become a preacher.
• 1877 Returns to the Netherlands and becomes a book-keeper.
• 1879 The evangelist college in Brussels assigns Vincent a preachers job in Wasmes.
• 1880  Moves to Brussels and decides to become an artist (I know the feeling)
• In April moves to Etten at his dad's parsonage, and studies drawing. Fell in love with cousin Kee Vos-Striker, she rejects him.
• 1881 Moves to The Hague, where he studies watercolour painting with Anton Mauve. The prostitute, Sien Hoornic and her child move in with Vincent.
• 1883 December moves to his dad's parsonage in Nuenen, stays their for two years.
• 1885 paints The Potato Eaters, (we artist have to start somewhere!) Vincent's father dies of a stroke on 26 March. Later that year goes to Academy of Fine Art, Antwerp only lasts 3 months.
• 1886 moves in with brother Theo in Paris (I moved in with mine when I was 17 year's old). During this time discovers Impressionism.
• 1888 moves to Arles, into the Yellow House, South of France. Paint
• s: Sunflowers, Bedroom at Arles, Vincent's Chair. joined by painter Paul Gauguin from October to December (Bad move, conflict of personalities and the very reason for cutting off part of his ear, to show Paul how much he care's for his company.) Paints nearly 200 picture while at Arles.
• 1889 commits himself to St Remy mental asylum. Had no choose really, the locals thought he was a mad red head! Paint Cyprus Trees- time and time again because it's the only view from the room he was locked away. His brother marries Jo Bonger on April 18th.
• 1890 moves to Auvers, a village north of Paris. Sold his only painting during his lifetime, for 400 francs. Shoots himself , takes 2 days to die, alone in his little bedroom. Note: he only paints for 10 years! but was so prolific, (I have a two volume book, 871 titles of his oil paintings, that does not include the watercolours, drawings and etchings).

  10 of Vincent Letters and sketches  

"Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me. I see paintings or drawings in the poorest cottages, in the dirtiest corners. And my mind is driven towards these things with an irresistible momentum."  Vincent van Gogh,21 July 1882.

Vincent's letters portray and enhance understanding of his paintings. His prolific letter writing to his brother and other artists convey his passions, with great incite. While he was in Provence, southern France, he was painting at his best. Here I've chosen some of his more compelling letters. I change them when I can.

Theo's wife fortunately keep the letters after her husbands death as a comfort and consolation. Theo died just six months after Vincent, probably of a broken heart. The last thing Vincent done was to write to his brother, laying on his bed bleeding to death, with his letter in his hand.