The Works of Vincent van Gogh

             Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853 and died in 1890. He was a Dutch postimpressionist painter. His works are perhaps better known generally than those of any other painter. The great majority were produced in 29 months of frenzied activity interspersed with epileptoid seizures and despair that finally ended in suicide. His early work, the Dutch period (1880-85), consists of dark, greenish-brown, heavily painted studies of peasants and miners (The Potato Eaters). After moving to Paris, he met Pissarro, who encouraged him to adopt a colorful palette. His work from his last month at Arles is characterized by the heavy impasto and rhythmic linear style so identified with him.
             Vincent Van Gogh was dorn on March 30, 1853 in the small village of Groot-Zundent, Holland, to Theodorus Van Gogh (1822-1885) and Anna Cornelia nee Carbentus (1819-1907). His brother, Theo, was born on May 1, 1857. Van Gogh's father, a Protestant minister had hopes that his son would follow in the footsteps of his forebears and become either a clergyman or a successful businessman. At an early age and extremely sensitive, Van Gogh, who was prone to frequent bouts of depression, gave indications that he would not be well suited for either profession. At the age of 16 (1869), Van Gogh was recommended by an uncle (Uncle "Cent") for a clerical position at Goupil, an art gallery in The Hague. Vincent makes frequent visits to the museums of The Hague. In 1873, Van Gogh transferred to a branch of Goupil in London. He visits the museums and galleries and expands his knowledge of art. Here he experienced his first tragic love affair. Vincent stays in a boarding house run by Mrs. Ursula Loyer. For decades it has been thought that Vincent was in love with Mrs. Loyers, daughter Eugenie. Recent evidence shows that Vincent was, in fact, in love with Caroline Haanebeek-a friend of the Van Gogh family in the Netherlands. When he returned to Holland for the holidays, his paren...

More Essays:

APA     MLA     Chicago
The Works of Vincent van Gogh. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 20:42, March 28, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/66941.html