#Van gogh postman painting series#

His work mixed his observations of the world with his imagination, memories and emotions. In just ten years, Vincent had produced more than 2,000 paintings, drawings and sketches. Theo van Gogh, painted by his brother Vincent Theo died from ill health six months later and was buried next to his brother. In July, he shot himself in the chest, dying two days later in Theo’s arms. Vincent continued to paint but his physical and mental health declined. Gachet, a physician who had treated many artists. In 1890, Vincent moved to live closer to Theo and to Dr. During this time, he produced over 150 paintings, including Starry Night, one of his most famous pieces, and Irises, which sold for a record $53.9 million in 1987. In 1889, he committed himself to a mental hospital in Saint-Rémy. He became obsessed with his art and neglected his health – smoking and drinking heavily and often forgetting to eat. Vincent was deeply religious as a young man, but lost his faith in his late-twenties, and suffered bouts of depression. After one particularly heated row, Vincent famously sliced off part of his own left ear with a razor blade. Although they were great friends, the two often argued. Vincent grew tired of city life, however, and rented a house in Arles, inviting Gauguin to join him. He painted many self-portraits, too – it was cheaper to paint himself than to hire a model! He began to use brighter colours in his paintings of the Parisian streets and cafes and the French countryside. He also became good friends with the artist Paul Gauguin. He befriended other painters such as Monet, Degas and Pissarro.

Vincent moved to Paris when Theo told him about a new style of painting there called Impressionism.

When his father died in 1885, Vincent finished his first major work The Potato Eaters – a painting of a peasant family eating dinner. He often drew dark, sad pictures of poor people. At first Vincent sketched in pencils or charcoal, and painted in watercolours, but later he experimented with oils. With Theo’s financial and emotional support, he went to study at the Royal Academy of Art in Brussels, Belgium. In 1880, Vincent took his brother Theo’s advice and became a full-time painter. Before then, he worked for an art dealer (his uncle), as a teacher, in a bookshop, in an art gallery and as a missionary. Vincent enjoyed drawing as a child but didn’t work as an artist until he was 27. A lot of what we know about him comes from the letters he wrote to Theo.

Vincent was particularly close to his younger brother, Theo. His father and grandfather were church ministers, but other family members worked in the art industry. Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853 in the Netherlands. Vincent van Gogh A Short Biography of Vincent van Gogh “I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.”

#Van gogh postman painting series#

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” Although it is believed the painting survived, no one knows what has happened to it! He said he wanted to have the painting burned and buried with him when he died. The buyer was a 74-year-old Japanese businessman, who died six years later. At the time, it was the most expensive artwork ever sold. Find out more about this talented but unhappy man, and use our collection of printable resources to test what you have learnt.įun fact: In 1990, van Gogh’s painting Portrait of Dr. Although relatively unknown during his lifetime, his drawings and paintings are now some of the most valuable in the world, and his work has influenced generations of painters. Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) is one of the world’s most famous artists.