Vincent Van Gogh
Movement: Post Impressionism
Born in Holland in 1853.
1886 moves to Paris which results in him meeting the Impressionists.
Travels to Arles, France in 1888 where he finds his style.
Also during 1888 he is visited by Gaugin in The Yellow House.
1889 he is admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
Dies in 1890 in Auvers-sur-Oise.
Van Gogh was primarily self taught and did not start painting until his late twenties, with most of his well known pieces being produced in his last few years. His early subjects were based on the local community and from this came his first major piece The Potato Eaters (below), his palette during this time was quite dark and earthy.
Van Gogh was introduced to the Impressionists through his brother Theo who ran an art gallery, his style began to develop and his colours became lighter and his brushstrokes became looser. After leaving the psychiatric hospital he continued to paint in what became a very recognisable style, The Starry Night (below) is a prime example of this style. In the summer of 1890 Van Gogh shot himself and died, relatively unknown.
“A good picture is equivalent to a good deed” Van Gogh
Some words by 50 Modern Artists You Should Know, Prestel
