Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter whose expressive use of color and dynamic brushwork profoundly influenced modern art. In just over a decade, he created around 2,100 artworks, including nearly 860 oil paintings, many of which came from the last two years of his life. His works ranged from landscapes and still lifes to portraits and self-portraits, reflecting his emotional intensity and evolving artistic vision.
Born in the Netherlands to an upper-middle-class family, Van Gogh was serious and introspective as a child. He worked as an art dealer but struggled with depression and later pursued a brief career as a missionary. Encouraged by his younger brother, Theo, he took up painting in the early 1880s. His early works, such as The Potato Eaters (1885), depicted peasant life with dark, earthy tones.
In 1886, Van Gogh moved to Paris, where he encountered Impressionists and Post-Impressionists like Paul Gauguin. Seeking artistic inspiration, he relocated to Arles in 1888, producing his famous Sunflowers series and vibrant depictions of rural life. However, his mental health deteriorated, culminating in a breakdown that led to him famously mutilating his ear.
Van Gogh spent time in psychiatric hospitals, continuing to paint prolifically. In July 1890, suffering from severe depression, he shot himself and died two days later. Though unrecognized in his lifetime, his work gained immense recognition after his death. Today, he is celebrated as a misunderstood genius, with his paintings among the most valuable in the world.