Painting by Numbers - Vincent Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh, the eldest son of a Dutch minister, was born in South Holland on 30 March 1853. He became one of the most famous and influential artists of the 19th century. Van Gogh tried his hand at several different trades, including working for Goupil Co. an art dealer, teaching as an assistant at Ramsgate before finally deciding tobecome an artist at the age of twenty-seven. His early works are bleak, depicting oppressed city dwellers as well as Dutch peasants at work.Van Gogh's epistolary exchanges with his brother and other artists provide a glimpse into the life that the painter led. In 1886, Van Gogh moved to Paris where he lived with his brother, who supported the artist financially. In Paris, Van Gogh became familiar with the works of Impressionists and neo-Impressionists. He became friends with Pissarro, Monet and Gauguin. Van Gogh began to enlighten his colour palette and experimented with different shorter brushstrokes. His works move from depictions of workers and peasants to images of Paris, portraits, self-portraits and images of flowers. In 1888, at the age of 35, Van Gogh left Paris for Arles where he dreamed of founding an artists' community. Theo continued to support him financially and tried to sell his work. Another artist, Paul Gauguin, joined Van Gogh for a short period, but the two artists had frequent disagreements that caused them to part ways quickly.
Van Gogh spent much time in the Saint-Rémy asylum where he painted some 150 paintings. Upon his release in 1890, Van Gogh attempted to commit suicide in a wheat field by shooting himself in the chest. He died two days later with his brother by his side.
