by Christianna Garrett-Martin

Created on: November 29, 2008   Last Updated: December 16, 2009

- Vincent Van Gogh -

The Dutch Post-Impressionist Artist, Vincent Van Gogh was an extraordinary man. A tortured soul; a turbulent Artist, full of passion. He felt lost and misplaced in his own time. He constantly questioned his self worth and he suffered greatly throughout his short artistic life with melancholy and insanity.

He produced some of the greatest works of art of his time. These include 'Sunflowers' 1-4, 'Starry Nights' and the Potato Eaters'. Van Gogh's style is unmistakeable. His tumultuous, swirling brush strokes and his vivid use of colour distinguish his paintings, from those of others of his time.

The Beautiful Song Written about Vincent Van Gogh by Don McLean. Van Gogh - Starry Night ":http://www.squidoo.com/Vincent-Van-Gogh-plus#modul e12263443~ Van Gogh - Starry Night - Over The Rhone ~

~ Sunflowers - 1888 ~ Sunflowers 2 ~":http://www.squidoo.com/Vincent-Van-Gogh-plus#modu le12230885

- The Life Of Vincent Van Gogh -

In one of the many letters that Van Gogh sent to his brother, Theo, at the start of his career, he said "I want to do drawings that will touch some lives". I want to make a difference. It was very important to Van Gogh that his paintings were appreciated on a very deep and personal level. He signed his art, simply, Vincent. By doing so he hoped that he would be able to reach out through his art to his audience, and connect to them on a very intimate basis. Vincent put everything into his paintings; his soul, his very being and he would toil for many hours for the perfection of his craft.

He wanted people to be able to feel the emotions that he put into his work. His joy, pain and his frustrations through the language of his Art, but he realised sadly that this probably was not to be. Instead they would appreciate them visually. "the truth is, we can only make our pictures speak." he wrote to his brother Theo, whom he shared a lifelong bond with; and he communicated with him, at all times throughout his life, through the medium of letter. Van Gogh's deep passion and fevered artistry came alive in his paintings. I think his brush strokes tell a thousand stories and there is a striking and fervent life to them.

His wild and swirling brush strokes on his Sunflowers speak quite clearly; as do his stark and uncompromising self-portraits.

- His Early Days -

Vincent Van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, Holland. A nervous and highly strung young man who lacked in confidence. His moods swung between fits of madness and moments of lucidity.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>