Summary
Highlights
Vincent van Gogh's life began in 1853 in Groot Zundert, Netherlands. His parents named him after a stillborn brother, a haunting presence throughout his childhood. His mother, likely suffering from depression, was unaffectionate, leading Vincent to crave love. His upbringing was strict, with both his father and grandfather being ministers. Despite his mother being an amateur artist, who encouraged sketching, Vincent felt a constant need to prove himself.
Vincent left school early and began working for his uncle, an art dealer at Goupil & Cie. This exposed him to great art and he learned French, German, and English. At 20, he moved to London and fell in love, possibly with his landlady's daughter or the landlady herself. He proposed, only to be rejected as she was engaged to another man, leading to a dramatic eviction.
From ages 20 to 23, Vincent became deeply religious, reading the Bible daily and holding himself to high moral standards. His extreme piety led to him being fired from the art dealership for advising customers not to buy paintings. He attempted to become a minister but failed his Latin exams. He then volunteered to preach in the impoverished coal mining towns of Brussels, where he gave away his comfortable home to a sick woman and lived in squalor. Though beloved by the locals, the Church Committee fired him for his unconventional behavior.
At 27, Vincent decided to become an artist, supported financially by his brother Theo. He frequently sacrificed meals to buy art supplies. He suffered a second heartbreak when his proposal to his widowed cousin, Kee Stricker, was rejected. He then moved to The Hague, where he met and fell in love with Christina Maria Hornick, a prostitute suffering from syphilis. Theo supported Vincent's care for her and her children, but Vincent contracted syphilis and gonorrhea, leading to further mental health issues and Theo's intervention to end the relationship.
In 1885, Vincent painted 'The Potato Eaters,' a piece capturing the emotions of farmworkers. Theo, living in Paris, saw that this dark style was not selling and introduced Vincent to Impressionism. Vincent was profoundly inspired, switching to vibrant colors and painting prolifically. He often used himself as a model due to lack of funds. He debated with other artists, believing none shared his level of passion. Paul Gauguin encouraged him to drink absinthe, further harming his mental state. Inspired by Japanese art, he moved to Arles, France, a landscape he felt resembled Japan.
In Arles, Vincent lived in the 'Yellow House,' painting in isolation and surviving on meager food. He drank absinthe and even consumed turpentine and paint, severely damaging his health. Theo, concerned, paid Gauguin to live and work with Vincent. Vincent filled the house with sunflowers for Gauguin, and his art became completely original. However, Vincent's mental state deteriorated, leading to arguments. After a particularly bad fight, Vincent threatened Gauguin with a razor. Gauguin left, and Vincent, in a fit, cut off his earlobe and presented it to a prostitute.
Vincent was hospitalized for his injury, having seizures and being delirious. Theo visited, blaming himself for not checking on his brother sooner. After two weeks, Vincent returned to his yellow house, feeling alone. Theo's engagement to Johanna Banga, an accomplished pianist, caused Vincent anxiety, fearing he would lose Theo's support. The townspeople, fearful of Vincent, signed a petition to have him locked in a hospital cell. Vincent requested to be transferred to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, hoping for a quieter, more comfortable setting.
Theo, unwavering in his belief in Vincent's talent, arranged for two comfortable rooms at the asylum – one for living, one for an art studio. Vincent painted in the beautiful gardens, his health improving with sobriety and regular meals. Finally, his work gained recognition when 'The Red Vineyards' sold for 400 francs at an exhibition in Paris, making a small dent in Theo's investment. When Theo and Johanna had a son, named Vincent Willem, Vincent was overwhelmed with joy, presenting them with his painting 'Blossoming Almond Tree,' symbolizing new life.
With renewed hope, Vincent left the asylum and moved above Dr. Paul Gachet, an amateur painter. Despite initial contentment, a letter from Theo mentioning financial struggles sent Vincent into a spiral of self-hatred. He shot himself in the chest, barely missing his heart. Theo rushed to his side, and they spent Vincent's last night reminiscing. Vincent died in his sleep at 37. Six months later, Theo also died from syphilis. Theo's widow, Johanna, inherited Vincent's vast collection, including 'The Starry Night,' and passionately worked to catalogue and promote his art. Despite critics, she ensured his genius was recognized, and his work now fetches millions, solidifying his place as one of history's greatest painters.