The Curse of Van Gogh's Life

And the ever present struggle to fit in.

I thought I knew the most important events in van Gogh's life. As it turns out, I know nothing!

The man couldn’t get anything right, and it’s almost as if life itself had a unique plan for him: To make him suffer as much as possible.

Vincent was deeply troubled. He was the proverbial “black sheep” of the respectable Van Gogh family.

His uncle was an art dealer with the famous art house, Goupil and Cie. He got Vincent and his brother Theo jobs as art dealers in their late teens. The company fired Vincent for very poor salesmanship after only a few years. He then tried to become a lay preacher, as his father was. He, too, lost this job for giving away church property to the poor. It seemed to him, that he didn’t fit, period.

By the time he first began painting at age 27, his family were, by and large, disgusted with him. His only support was his younger brother Theo. 

Theo was then a respected art dealer. He would be Vincent’s patron for the rest of his life. He even arranged the one and only sale of Vincent’s work in life to the sister of his wife, Johanna Bonger.

Vincent suffered bouts of suicidal depression and manic episodes. He drank coffee and alcohol to massive excess. The only woman he ever had a relationship with robbed him and left him. He was put in asylums twice. The first time was for eating toxic paint. The second was for cutting off his left ear with a razor.

However, it was at the asylum at St. Remy that he painted many of his most famous works, such as 1889's Starry Night.

Van Gogh died in Theo’s arms from a gunshot wound to the stomach on July 27, 1890, in Auvers-sur-Oise. The accepted theory is that he died by his own hand. He had attempted suicide before. However, some evidence suggests that a local boy called Rene Secretan shot him. He died taking the blame as it was, allegedly, an accident. 

Theo would follow six months later. He died from a mix of depression and tertiary syphilis. They are buried side by side in Auvers to this day.

Bio 

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

Early Life:

1. Born in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands, to Theodorus van Gogh (minister) and Anna Cornelia Carbentus.

2. Sixth of six children, including brother Theo (closest confidant).

3. Raised in a conservative, religious household.

Career Attempts:

1. Art dealer (1869-1876): Failed, due to poor salesmanship.

2. Lay preacher (1876-1879): Dismissed for giving away church property to the poor.

3. Teacher (1880): Briefly taught at a boarding school.

Artistic Journey:

1. Self-taught artist (1880-1885): Developed skills, influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e prints and Impressionism.

2. Antwerp Academy (1885-1886): Studied art, but struggled with criticism.

3. Paris (1886-1888): Joined Theo, explored Impressionism, and befriended artists like Paul Gauguin.

4. Arles (1888-1889): Famous "Sunflower" series; mental health struggles intensified.

Mental Health and Struggles:

1. Suffered from depression, anxiety, and episodes of psychosis.

2. Admitted to hospitals and asylums multiple times.

3. Infamous ear-cutting incident (1888).

Legacy:

1. Produced over 2,100 artworks, including 860 oil paintings.

2. Pioneer of Expressionism and modern art.

3. Posthumous recognition; now considered one of history's greatest artists.

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Video clip: Vincent Van Gogh Visits the Gallery | Vincent and the Doctor | Doctor Who

I thought it was a good idea to bring glimpses of this man's life and realise that maybe because—and not in spite of—the anguish and depression he suffered from, he was able to produce such an amazing body of work. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.

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Until next time…

Love and light. 🗽💜

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Thanks for reading!