Start with clicking on the moon Then, Click on the Stars to Learn about Van

Gogh’s Life

The Early Years

Vincent Van Gogh (Circa 1864)Photographer Unknown

The Van Gogh Gallery. 17 January 2008. Templeton Reid, LLC. Date you accessed the site http://www.vangoghgallery.com

Vincent Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands. His father was a clergyman (preacher) in the protestant church.He was the oldest of six children with three sisters and two brothersHe became interested in paintings at an early age because three of his uncles were art dealers

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Windmills at MonmatrePencil on Paper, 1877

Early Works

In this early sketch, you can see the influence of the “Classical Drawing” techniques taught to Van Gogh when he was sent to Boarding School

Early Works

Road with Pollard Willows and Man with BroomPencil on paper washed, 1881

Here, Vincent's work has become more refined. The drawing shows signs of things to come in the way he treats the tree limbs with long flowing pencil marks.

Vincent Van Gogh Circa 1869 (Age 16)Photographer Unknown

Goupil and CompanyWhen Vincent was 16 his Uncle Cent helped him to find a job working for a group of art dealers “Goupil and Company” Goupil and Company was located in the Dutch capital, The HagueGoupil was an important step in Van Gogh’s life because it introduced him to many important people and artists who were working in The HagueThe firm was so impressed with Vincent that in 1873 they sent him to London to work in an art Gallery

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Vincent Van Gogh (Uncle Cent)1820-1888 Photographer Unknown

Vincent van Gogh had ten aunts and uncles on his father's side, but it was arguably his Uncle Vincent (Uncle "Cent") who had the most influence on Vincent's life

For more than four years Vincent worked at his uncle's art firm in The Hague and excelled in learning the art business

In 1873 Vincent was transferred to Goupil's London branch

Unfortunately, after a successful beginning Vincent's performance began to deteriorate

A temporary transfer to Goupil's Paris branch failed to motivate Vincent, and he chose to leave Goupil's in 1875.

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The influence of uncle cent

Paul Signac, 1863 -, 1935Photographer Unknown

Paul Signac Gave Van Gogh his first look at a new style of art called neo-impressionism (pointillism)Was one of many young painters known as the “Fauvists”His (and others) style of painting was with quick thickly placed colors that did not attempt to capture an image in its true colors.

Paul Signac, Gas Tanks at Clichy, Oil on Canvas,1886

Artists with an influence

MoreSunday, Oil on Canvas,1888

Les Alyscamps, Oil on Canvas, 1888

Like his friend Vincent, Paul Gauguin experienced bouts of depression and at one time attempted suicide.

In 1888 the two artists spent five weeks together sharing ideas and creating art

The meeting ended in a bad situation with the artists going their separate ways

Paul Gauguin, 1848-1903Photographer Unknown

Artists with an influence

The Yellow Christ, Oil on Canvas, 1889

The Swineherd, Oil on Canvas, 1888

Preacher and Peasant

After leaving Goupil’s, Vincent moved to Amsterdam where he lived with his Uncle JohannesHe struggled for more than a year studying the Greek and Latin languages both day and night In 1878, (not long after failing his church exams) he joined a community of poor workers in a run down mining area of Brussels, BelgiumHe lived with and Preached to the families until 1881During his time living as a peasant Vincent practiced his drawing and painting skills by creating images of what he saw in his environment

Return of the Miners, Pen and Ink on Paper, 1881

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Still Life with Cabbage and Clogs, Oil on paper on panelThe Hague: November - late month to mid December, 1881

Man Stooping with SpadeOil on Canvas, 1882

Preacher and Peasant

Cluster of Old Houses with the New Church in The HagueOil on Canvas on Cardboard, 1882

After 1881 Vincent returned to his training as an artistIt is at this point in his life he begins to use a more colorful palette

“I will take up my pencil, which I have forsaken in my discouragement, and I will go on with my drawing. From that moment on everything has seemed transformed for me.”

Vincent

Preacher and Peasant

Girl in White in the Woods,Oil on Board, August, 1882

Preacher and Peasant

Theo Van Gogh1857-1891

Nearly 700 letters exist that were written between Vincent and his brother Theo Van GoghThe letters between the brothers are key to understanding the struggles Vincent went through They were lifelong friends and Theo was Vincent's favorite brotherIt was Theo that Vincent turned to whenever he had troubles Late in Vincent’s life it was Theo that supported Vincent financiallyAt the end of Vincent's life he worked closely with the doctors to try and helpAfter Vincent’s death Theo was said to never be the same

Brother and friend

Letter #567Arles, 2nd January, 1889

 My Dear Theo,So as to reassure you on my account, I write to you these few lines in the office of the intern, Dr. M. Rey, whom you have yourself met. I shall stay here at the hospital for a few more days, then I think I can count on quietly returning to the house.Now I only beg of you one thing, not to worry, because that would cause me too much of a worry. Now let’s talk of our friend Gauguin, have I terrified him? In short why hasn’t he given me any sign of life? He must have left with you. Besides, he had a need to return to Paris, and in Paris perhaps, he will feel more at home than here. Tell Gauguin to write to me, and that I think about him all the time. A good handshake, I have read and re-read your letter about your meeting with the Bongers. It is perfect. As for me, I am content to stay just as I am.Again a good handshake to you and Gauguin. Vincent

Write to me at the same address, Pace Lamartine, 2.[Added to this letter was a note from Dr. Rey] I add a few words to your brother’s letter to reassure you, in my turn, on his account.I am happy to tell you that my predictions have been realized and that this over-excitement has only been temporary. I feel strongly that he will be himself in a few days. I have made a point of his writing to you himself, to tell you in his own words his condition. I made him come down to my office to talk for a bit. It will entertain me and it will do him good.Please accept my kind regards, I am yours very truly,

Rey

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The doctors

Dr. Felix Rey, 1889. Oil on canvas. Vincent van Gogh 25 1/4 x 21 in. Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow

Dr Rey was 23 years old when Van Gogh was his patient

He was very sympathetic to Vincent and cared deeply about him

Van Gogh gave Dr Rey the portrait as a gift

It is said that Dr. Rey never really liked the painting and actually used it to block up a hole in his chicken coop for awhile.

The doctors

“I've done the portrait of M. Gachet with a melancholy expression, which might well seem like a grimace to those who see it... Sad but gentle, yet clear and intelligent, that is how many portraits ought to be done... “Vincent

Theo Van Gogh, thought that Dr. Gachet would take good care of Vincent during his recovery because he was sensitive to artists

Soon after Vincent got to know Dr. Gachet he described him in a letter to Theo as: “sicker than I am, I think, or shall we say just as much . . . .”

Dr. Gachet is the last medical person to take care of Vincent before his suicide

There were not very many medicines available for Dr Gachet to use that could treat Vincent’s illnessPortrait of Dr Gachet, 1890 (1st Version)

Oil on CanvasPrivate Collection

The Doctors

Dr. Gachet's Garden, 1890, Oil on Canvas

**Note the cypress tree in the background**This is the same tree that shows up again in “Starry Night”

While at the Asylum

While at the Asylum

The Olive Trees, Oil on Canvas, 1889 Bedroom in Arles, Oil on Canvas, 1888

While at the Asylum

Starry Night, Oil on Canvas, 1889The Harvest, Oil on Canvas, 1888

Portraits of Vincent

Van Gogh

Watch this video. You can replay it as many times as you like. (Be ready to discuss it in class)•Watch how the expressions on Van Gogh’s face change. • What do you see in the eyes of the portraits?•Do you think these were all done by the same artist?

The End of the Lineine