442 - The Vincent van Gogh Room

Vincent van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, Holland. The son of a pastor, brought up in a religious and cultured atmosphere, Vincent was highly emotional and lacked self-confidence. Between 1860 and 1880, when he finally decided to become an artist, van Gogh had had two unhappy romances and had worked unsuccessfully as a clerk in a bookstore, an art salesman, and a preacher in the Borinage, where he was dismissed for overzealousness.

In 1886 he went to Paris to join his brother Théo, the manager of Goupil's gallery. In Paris, van Gogh studied with Cormon, met Pissaro, Monet and Gaugin, and began to lighten his very dark palette and to paint in the short brushstrokes of the Impressionists. His nervous temperament made him a difficult companion and night-long discussions combined with painting all day undermined his health. In a fit of epilepsy, van Gogh cut off a portion of his ear lobe off.  Afterwards, he began to alternate between fits of madness and lucidity and was sent to the asylum in Saint-Remy for treatment. 

In May of 1890, he seemed much better and went to live in Auvers-sur-Oise under the watchful eye of Dr. Gachet. Two months later he was dead, having shot himself "for the good of all." During his brief career he had sold one painting. His portfoliio is now one of the most famous and recognizable in the world, fetching record prices in the millions of dollars.  Learn more about the artist