by Norman Stratford

Created on: January 22, 2011

Looking back at history we like to think that we have the facts correct, but we often assume reason from events that had taken place. Van Gogh shot himself and died, but the act could be due to depression or just to call attention to himself as the doctors could have done more to save his life. The Life of Van Gogh (1853-90) was made into a film and depicts the suffering of the mad artist ( Lust for Life 1956). There was an illness, yet not necessary due to the creativity of painting. He often wrote to Theo his brother about what he paints, his hopes and fears, but he was dependant on him for his money.

The letters indicate his reasons for his art and he produced many paintings, many of which did not sell until after his death. The image of the painter is given of the struggling artist in poverty and being an out cast in society.

There were many influences in his life and color was one, but he was concerned about his delirium and some believe that it could have been epileptic fits, though Dr. Gachet believed it was connected to nerves and the sun.

The was the ear lob incident and this could have been due to impulse due to something that was said to him. It caused a lot of bleeding and a little odd to present an ear lob to someone. He painted himself with bandages.

Gauguin was considered a friend, but had different aims and differences in personality. It is not easy to live with someone that could be considered an artist. Van Gogh wanted to see things and be there on the spot. Gauguin put forward another point of view. The dream of having others part-take in his artist colony soon was over. He found himself alone again and painted the chair. There may have existed other problems within the relationship between them, perhaps to the point of violence.

He believed that he should be an artist and had failed in doing other kinds of work especially with the church authorities when he wished to be a missionary. His father was connected to the church and there seemed to be some discord with him, but through-out Theo was always there, smoothing over the problem, helping with money and writing letters from the beginning.

It was when I was younger that I read the letters( from a Book), and felt that it was very sad that events turned out like this in his life and I did not necessary think that he wanted to end his life, but perhaps he had missed out by not having family life. Once Theo had become a husband and father and needed money for his own family, then it becomes clear

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