Vincent Van Gogh – His Life & Paintings

Vincent Van Gogh - His Life & Paintings

Vincent Van Gogh signed his works as simply "Vincent" but there is nothing simple about the masterpieces he created, and for which he is famed worldwide. Receiving no recognition from his father, mother or sister as an artist, and even less as a genius, Vincent Van Gogh abandoned his surname and signed his work simply "Vincent". 

Vincent Van Gogh was born in Zundert, Holland on 30 March 1853 and died in Auvers sur Oise on 29 July 1890. Most sadly for the painter he only sold two paintings during his life, and these were at an absurdly low price. Many of his paintings he gave away and sadly his work was so unappreciated, that one was even used as a door for a hen house. If only he could see how much his work is loved and revered now! So revered in fact, that at a New York auction sale in November 1987, his painting "Irises" (May 1889) sold for the record price of 49 million dollars!

Vincent Van Gogh - Born 30 March 1853

His life and paintings are the subject of many books, art exhibitions and documentaries and after visiting Arles I myself became more fascinated with Van Gogh. One of the most memorable days of my life was when I drove the nine hour round-trip to the Australian National Gallery in Canberra to stand in front of "Sunflowers" (1888). The feeling of standing only one metre away, without large crowds and closely looking at the brush strokes and intense colours was incredible. 

With Vincent Van Gogh's birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, I thought it was the perfect time to write a post celebrating his life and paintings. With a little about each significant period of his artistic life and some of the paintings related to each period, I hope you enjoy 'Vincent Van Gogh - His Life & Paintings'. 

Vincent Van Gogh Montmartre Period

Vincent preferred to work outdoors and "directly in the setting itself" rather than in a studio as did the emerging painters of the day. He was driven to paint reality and nothing else. Vincent moved in with his brother Theo, who was convinced of his brother's talent and regularly sacrificed part of his income to support his brother. When taking a walking tour of Montmartre, it was a highlight to walk past 54 rue Lepic and see the apartment that Theo, his wife and Vincent lived in.  

Living in Montmartre, Van Gogh met Pissaro, Gauguin and many others and during this time ruined his health by drinking absinthe. He decided to move to the South of France for the sun and change of scenery. Thinking that the sun would stir his soul and give life to his brush, on 20 February 1888 he caught the train to Arles.

Renting a room he set straight away to painting and painted an almond branch blossoming in a glass. From his window he observed scenes of life in Arles until the arrival of spring, when he took to the fields. Even when the mistral winds swirled, Van Gogh was not deterred from carrying on with his painting. 

I have a great deal of trouble painting because of the wind, but I pitch my easel into the ground with stakes and go on working, it's too beautiful to stop!" - Vincent Van Gogh

After renting for a while he moved into the famed yellow house which is the subject of his famous painting "The Yellow House" (September 1888). The "Yellow House" is where he painted "The Bedroom at Arles" (1889) with its furniture rearranged so that he could devote himself entirely to his work, and work he did! 

Van Gogh painted prolifically during his stay at Arles with paintings including "Van Gogh's chair with his pipe" (December 1888) and "Gauguin's armchair" (December 1888) which recorded the visit of his friend and art dealer Gauguin. The wonderful paintings of "The Alyscamps at Arles" (November 1888); "Arena at Arles" (December 1888); "Harvesters, distant view of Arles"; "The sower at sunset" (November 1888); "The red vineyard" (November 1888) and "Ward of the hospital in Arles" (April 1889) are a few more painted in Arles.

Gauguin's Visit to Arles

A visit was planned for October to December 1888 by the dealer Gauguin to stay with Van Gogh in Arles and in an effort to impress his impending visitor, Van Gogh painted "Sunflowers" (1888). He hung his painting in the guest room for his visitor to enjoy and considered it "as marking a personal artistic high point" (National Art Galley of Australia) in his career. It was also a serious process of developing his use of saturated colour and impasto style of painting. 

Even though the visit did not go well between the two, and the strain and resultant breakdown trigged the incident of his cut ear and Van Gogh's hospitalisation at Hôtel Dieu, Gauguin was full of praise of his sunflower paintings. Vincent continued to suffer from epilepsy during this period which increased the circulation of rumours of his madness.

Van Gogh was pleased with his painting, and wanted to keep the original for himself,  so in early 1889 he made three copies of the two signed sunflowers paintings - one for Theo, one for Gauguin and one for exhibition or sale. 

I am now painting with the gusto of a 'Marseillais' eating bouillabaisse, which shouldn't come as a surprise to you since I am painting large sunflowers." - Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry night over the Rhone"

Rumours were still spread of Van Gogh being mad, and his quick tempered personality and love of alcohol together with periods of deep depression, did not help. Rumours were even spread about the mad painter working with candles stuck on his hat while he painted "Starry night over the Rhone" (September 1888). The truth is recorded as him working under the light of a nearby gas street lamp. 

Van Gogh exchanged hundreds of letters with friends and family and especially with his brother Theo - a Paris-based art dealer. His letters provide insight into his struggles to support himself financially, maintain friendships and develop his own style and technique of painting. 

While at Arles, Van Gogh created over 200 paintings, over 100 drawings and watercolours and more than 200 letters. I love how the everyday is beautifully captured in the "Harvest at La Crau" (June 1888) at Arles, the sower working in the fields under the Provincial round sun in "Sower in field" and "The sower at sunset" (November 1888) and the washer women by the bridge in "The bridge of Langlois" (March 1888).

Vincent Van Gogh Café at Arles Paintings

Van Gogh's dedication to capturing real life was intense. When painting "The night café" (August-September 1888) he stayed for three nights as he painted the café, which was open all night. Vagabonds and drunks would come to shelter at the café sleeping off their drink and commiserating with each other. 

Another well known night-time painting is the "Café at night, Place du Forum, Arles" (September 1888) which proved to have significant impact on both Van Gogh and Guy de Maupassant's lives. It was at this cafe that the two men met and the beginning of the classic novel "Bel Ami" about Georges Duroy's corrupt rise to power, most of which he achieves by manipulating a series of powerful, intelligent, and wealthy women.

This café is still standing and because I didn't get to see it on my last visit to Arles, I plan to head back and just sit in a bistro chair and think on the great master who said this about painting this café :

This is a painting of night using no black, nothing but mellow blues, violets and greens... I love coming here just to paint the place." - Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh and the Saint Rémy Period

After Van Gogh's stay at the Arles Sanitorium due to his cut earlobe (which was the subject of more paintings), he left Arles so his paintings "Hospital room at Arles" (April 1889) and "Ward of the hospital in Arles" (April 1889) were to be practically his final works in that town. 

So it was on Wednesday, 8 May 1889 that Van Gogh accompanied by his friend, Paster Frédéric Salles, went to Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum in Saint Rémy de Provence in search of rest. 

Painting in peaceful surroundings seemed to help the sad painter who continually worked thinking painting was the cure for his sadness and that by continually painting he would improve his art.

I am churning out work like a man possessed. I have a veiled passion to work harder than ever, and I believe it will help in healing me." - Vincent Van Gogh

Trees Were His Passion

It was during this period of his life that many paintings of the sanatorium and its surroundings, including lots of trees were finished. "Trees in front of the St Paul Asylum", "St Paul's Asylum Garden", "Garden of Saint Paul asylum" are some of his works. Trees were his passion. Painting from behind his window bars he created "Enclosed field" (June 1889), seemingly able to place himself outside of his confined room. 

"Irises" - One of Vincent Van Gogh's Most Famous Paintings

Perhaps the most famous of his works painted during this time, and inspired by the grounds of Saint Paul de Mausole Asylum is "Irises" (May 1889). No doubt one reason is the extraordinary price paid for this painting in 1987. As mentioned above, it sold at a New York auction sale in November 1987 for the record price of 49 million dollars.

"Vase with irises" (May 1890) is another masterpiece from this period.

Vincent Van Gogh's Final Months at Auvers sur Oise

After spending several months at the Saint Paul de Mausole asylum, Van Gogh returned to Auvers sur Oise and painted there for two months under the protection of Dr Gachet. Paintings from this short period are said to display an almost frenzied inspiration and include "Auvers Church" (June 1890), "Portrait of Dr Gachet" (June 1890) and "Wheatfield with crows" (July 1890).

Then, on 27 July 1890 Van Gogh attempted suicide and died two days later. Theo his ever supporting brother only survived him by six months and if not for his support, the world would be the poorer without the richness of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings, drawings, watercolours and letters.

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