10 interesting facts about Van Gogh – a great and outstanding artist

Vincent Willem van Gogh is a post-impressionist painter 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 Koonning and other artists who later became leaders in abstract expressionism.

Van Gogh is an amazing extraordinary person, an eccentric artist. Little is known about him to a wide circle of people, except that he “cut off his ear” and was a rather strange person. They were not interested in his life, because at one time the artist could only dream of fame. He became famous after his death. Now his paintings are bought for millions of dollars.

If you are a fan of this artist’s work or are simply fond of art, pay attention to our article. Below is a rating of interesting facts about Van Gogh – a biography of the great artist.

10 Dropped out of school several times

Vincent was a difficult child, wayward, capricious. He dropped out several times. At the age of 13, he entered Willem II College, the boy was very capable. He made progress in learning languages, got acquainted with drawing. In the middle of the school year, he dropped out without explaining why.

After some time, Vincent decided to become a pastor like his father. He entered the university in the department of theology, but he did not like studying. He, without hesitation, left these studies.

He entered the Gospel School, but changed his mind about studying because of the high pay. Van Gogh studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts for only a year. At that time, he seriously thought about drawing, but considered that education for an artist does not have a big role.

9. Started drawing at an early age

By his example, Van Gogh showed that it is never too late to find a new hobby and change the field of activity. He started painting at a mature age. Vincent was 27 at the time.

Van Gogh decided to get an education, but after a year he changed his mind. His real teacher was the book of Charles Bargue “Drawing Course”. For a long time he studied on his own, and at the age of 32 he again sat down at the school desk – a painting class, the Academy of Arts.

Vincent’s life was short, he died at the age of 37. For 10 years of creativity, he created 2 works. He painted a large number of portraits, landscapes, still lifes, self-portraits.

8. Worked as an art dealer

Vincent was interested in art since childhood, and he had the opportunity to build his career in this area. Van Gogh’s uncle helped him get a job at Goupil & Cie, an art dealer.

Van Gogh became an art dealer. He really liked this job. He received his first introduction to painting and fell in love with it with all his heart.

7. Cut off his earlobe

Little is known about this story, but there are a lot of shocking versions. Van Gogh’s clash with his other Paul Gauguin is considered the most reliable. Vincent had an obsession, he dreamed of opening an artists’ union. Paul supported him, but these were just empty promises.

During another conflict, Van Gogh attacked Paul with a razor in his hands. He could not harm a friend, but his aggression was looking for an outlet. Vincent came home and cut off his earlobe. He wrapped it in a scarf and gave it to a girl named Rachel. She got into 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 once again tried to injure himself.

6. Was in love with a cousin

Van Gogh was in love with his cousin Kay Phos. 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 Phos was 25 years old at the time. She lost her husband, left alone with a child. Vincent saw in her eyes “the greatest sorrow” that shook him to the core.

He was not afraid to confess his love, but his cousin was frightened by his revelations and hurried 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 tell his parents about Van Gogh’s passion. A major scandal broke out, but he did not stop the persecution. Kay’s parents interfered in the situation, Vincent retreated from his plans.

5. Suffered from epilepsy

It is believed that the cause of Van Gogh’s strange behavior is nothing more than epilepsy. The artist suffered from this disease. It is impossible to say with accuracy how reliable this information is, but epilepsy did take place.

For the last two years of his life, the artist was subject to frequent epileptic seizures at irregular intervals.

4. The painting “Starry Night” was painted in a hospital

Van Gogh’s most famous painting was painted by him in a psychiatric hospital.. “Starry Night” is the view from the window of the artist’s bedroom. The painting depicts a non-existent village.

Van Gogh painted it in one day, this is the only image of the night in a series of views from his bedroom window. The painting is currently in the New York Museum of Modern Art.

3. Fantastically quickly wrote recent works

The last years of his life, Van Gogh was in a clouded 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 lived his life in vain. Loneliness became his faithful companion, he could not find a place for himself in this world.

2. 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 painted. This time, he also took his painting supplies with him.

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 physiology well, but the bullet did not hit the heart, but went a little lower. He was even able to return to the orphanage and went to bed.

The owner of the hotel called the doctor, but he could not help. After 29 hours, the artist died. He spent the last hours of his life with his younger brother Theo.

Not so long ago, an alternative version of Van Gogh’s death appeared. American art historians suggest that Vincent was shot by one of the teenagers with whom he often visited drinking establishments. The guy did it unintentionally (negligent homicide).

1. Museum of the artist opened in Amsterdam

Vincent’s paintings can be admired in the Amsterdam Art Museum, which was opened 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, here you can see the creations of Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet and other artists.

This museum is very popular with locals and tourists and is the second most visited museum in the Netherlands.