Van gogh paintings. Biography of Vincent van Gogh

Vincent Willem van Gogh is a Dutch artist who laid the foundations of the post-impressionism movement, which largely determined the principles of creativity of modern masters.

Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in the village of Groot Zundert in the province of North Brabant, bordering Belgium.

Father Theodore Van Gogh was a Protestant clergyman. Mother Anna Cornelia Carbentus is from the family of a respected bookseller and bookbinding specialist from the city (Den Haag).

Vincent was the second child, but his brother died immediately after birth, so the boy was the eldest, and after him five more children were born in the family:

• Theodorus (Theo) (Theodorus, Theo);
• Cornelis (Cor) (Cornelis, Cor);
• Anna Cornelia;
• Elizabeth (Liz) (Elizabeth, Liz);
• Willemina (Vil) (Willamina, Vil).

The baby was named after his grandfather, a minister of Protestantism. The first child was supposed to have this name, but because of it early death Vincent got it.

Memories of loved ones depict Vincent's character as very strange, capricious and wayward, disobedient and capable of unexpected antics. Outside of home and family, he was well-mannered, quiet, polite, modest, kind, and was distinguished by a strikingly intelligent look and a heart full of compassion. However, he avoided his peers and did not join in their games and fun.

At the age of 7, his father and mother enrolled him in school, but a year later he and his sister Anna were transferred to home schooling, and the governess took care of the children.

At the age of 11, in 1864, Vincent was sent to school in Zevenbergen. Although it was only 20 km from his homeland, the child had a hard time withstanding the separation, and these experiences were remembered forever.

In 1866, Vincent was assigned as a student to the educational institution of Willem II in Tilburg (College Willem II in Tilburg). Great success The teenager did well in mastering foreign languages, spoke and read perfectly in French, English, and German. Teachers also noted Vincent’s ability to draw. However, in 1868 he suddenly abandoned his studies and returned home. He was no longer sent to educational institutions; he continued to receive his education at home. Memories famous artist the beginning of life was sad, childhood was associated with darkness, cold and emptiness.

Business

In 1869, in The Hague, Vincent was recruited by his uncle, who bore the same name, whom the future artist called “Uncle Saint”. Uncle was the owner of a branch of the company Goupil&Cie, which was engaged in the examination, evaluation and sale of art objects. Vincent acquired the profession of a dealer and made significant progress, so in 1873 he was sent to work in London.

Work with works of art was very interesting to Vincent, he learned to understand fine arts, and became a regular visitor to museums and exhibition halls. His favorite authors were Jean-François Millet and Jules Breton.

The story of Vincent's first love dates back to the same period. But the story was incomprehensible and confusing: he lived in a rented apartment with Ursula Loyer and her daughter Eugene; biographers argue about who was the object of love: one of them or Carolina Haanebeek. But no matter who the beloved was, Vincent was refused and lost interest in life, work, and art. He begins to read the Bible thoughtfully. During this period, in 1874, he had to transfer to the Paris branch of the company. There he again becomes a regular at museums and enjoys creating drawings. Having hated the dealer's activities, he stopped bringing income to the company, and he was fired in 1876.

Teaching and religion

In March 1876, Vincent moved to Great Britain and became a free teacher at a school in Ramsgate. At the same time, he is thinking about a career as a clergyman. In July 1876 he moved to school in Isleworth, where he additionally assisted the priest. In November 1876, Vincent reads a sermon and becomes convinced of his destiny to convey the truth of religious teaching.

In 1876, Vincent comes to the Christmas holidays in native home, and his mother and father begged him not to leave. Vincent got a job in a bookstore in Dordrecht, but he doesn’t like the trade. He devotes all his time to translating biblical texts and drawing.

His father and mother, rejoicing at his desire for religious service, send Vincent to Amsterdam, where he, with the help of a relative, Johannes Stricker, prepares for theological studies to enter the university, and lives with his uncle, Jan Van Gogh. Gogh), who had the rank of admiral.

After admission, Van Gogh was a theological student until July 1878, after which, disappointed, he abandoned further education and flees Amsterdam.

The next stage of the search was associated with the Protestant missionary school in the city of Laken, near Brussels. The school was led by Pastor Bokma. Vincent gains experience in composing and reading sermons for three months, but leaves this place too. Biographers' information is contradictory: either he quit his job himself, or was fired due to sloppiness in clothing and unbalanced behavior.

In December 1878, Vincent continued his missionary service, but now in the southern region of Belgium, in the village of Paturi. Mining families lived in the village, Van Gogh selflessly worked with children, visited houses and talked about the Bible, and cared for the sick. To support himself, he drew maps of the Holy Land and sold them. Van Gogh proved himself to be an ascetic, sincere and tireless, and as a result he was given a small salary from the Evangelical Society. He planned to enter the Evangelical school, but the education was paid, and this, according to Van Gogh, is incompatible with true faith, which cannot be associated with money. At the same time, he submits a request to the mine management to improve conditions labor activity miners. He was refused and deprived of the right to preach, which shocked him and led to another disappointment.

First steps

Van Gogh found peace at his easel, and in 1880 he decided to try himself at the Brussels Royal Academy of Arts. His brother Theo supports him, but a year later his studies are abandoned again, and the eldest son returns under his parents' roof. He is absorbed in self-education and works tirelessly.

He feels love for his widowed cousin Kee Vos-Stricker, who raised their son and came to visit the family. Van Gogh is rejected, but persists and is kicked out of his father's house. These events shocked young man, he flees to The Hague, immerses himself in creativity, takes lessons from Anton Mauve, comprehends the laws of fine art, and makes copies of lithographic works.

Van Gogh spends a lot of time in neighborhoods inhabited by the poor. The works of this period are sketches of courtyards, roofs, alleys:

• "Backyards" (De achtertuin) (1882);
• “Roofs. View from Van Gogh's studio" (Dak. Het uitzicht vanuit de Studio van Gogh) (1882).

An interesting technique that combines watercolor paints, sepia, ink, chalk, etc.

In The Hague he chooses a wife lung woman behavior named Christine(Van Christina), which he picked up right on the panel. Christine moved to Van Gogh with her children and became a model for the artist, but her character was terrible, and they had to separate. This episode leads to a final break with parents and loved ones.

After breaking up with Christine, Vincent leaves for Drenth, in countryside. During this period, landscape works by the artist appeared, as well as paintings depicting the life of the peasantry.

Early works

The creative period representing the first works executed in Drenthe is distinguished by its realism, but it expresses the key characteristics individual manner of the artist. Many critics believe that these features are explained by the lack of basic art education: Van Gogh did not know the laws of human representation, therefore, the characters in paintings and sketches seem angular, ungraceful, as if emerging from the bosom of nature, like rocks on which the vault of heaven presses:

• "Red Vineyards" (Rode wijngaard) (1888);
• "Peasant Woman" (Boerin) (1885);
• "The Potato Eaters" (De Aardappeleters) (1885);
• “The Old Church Tower in Nuenen” (De Oude Begraafplaats Toren in Nuenen) (1885), etc.

These works are distinguished by a dark palette of shades that convey the painful atmosphere of the surrounding life, the painful situation of ordinary people, the sympathy, pain and drama of the author.

In 1885, he was forced to leave Drenthe, as he displeased the priest, who considered painting debauchery and forbade local residents to pose for paintings.

Parisian period

Van Gogh travels to Antwerp, takes lessons at the Academy of Arts and additionally at a private educational institution, where he works a lot on the depiction of nudes.

In 1886, Vincent moved to Paris to join Theo, who worked in a dealership that specialized in transactions for the sale of art objects.

In Paris in 1887/88, Van Gogh took lessons at a private school, learned the basics Japanese art, the basics of the impressionistic style of painting, the work of Paul Gauguin. This stage in creative biography Vag Gogh is called light, the leitmotif in his works are soft blue, bright yellow, fiery shades, his brushwork is light, betraying movement, the “flow” of life:

• Agostina Segatori in het Café Tamboerijn;
• “Bridge over the Seine” (Brug over de Seine);
• "Papa Tanguy" and others.

Van Gogh admired the Impressionists and met celebrities thanks to his brother Theo:

• Edgar Degas;
• Camille Pissarro;
• Henri Touluz-Lautrec;
• Paul Gauguin;
• Emile Bernard and others.

Van Gogh found himself among good friends and like-minded people, and was involved in the process of preparing exhibitions that were organized in restaurants, bars, and theater halls. The audience did not appreciate Van Gogh, they recognized them as terrible, but he immersed himself in learning and self-improvement, comprehending the theoretical basis of color technology.

In Paris, Van Gogh created about 230 works: still lifes, portraits and landscape painting, cycles of paintings (for example, the “Shoes” series of 1887) (Schoenen).

It's interesting what a person gains on canvas minor role, and the main thing is the bright world of nature, its airiness, the richness of colors, and their subtle transitions. Van Gogh opens a new direction - post-impressionism.

Blooming and finding your own style

In 1888, Van Gogh, worried about the lack of understanding of the audience, left for the southern French city of Arles. Arles became the city in which Vincent understood the purpose of his work: not to strive to reflect the real visible world, but to express your inner “I” with the help of color and simple technical techniques.

He decides to break with the Impressionists, but the peculiarities of their style long years are manifested in his works, in the ways of depicting light and air, in the manner of arranging color accents. Typical for impressionistic works are a series of canvases in which the same landscape, but in different time day and under different lighting conditions.

The attractiveness of Van Gogh’s style of work from his heyday lies in the contradiction between the desire for a harmonious worldview and the awareness of one’s own helplessness in the face of a disharmonious world. Full of light and festive nature, the works of 1888 coexist with gloomy phantasmagoric images:

• "Yellow House" (Gele huis);
• "Gauguin's Chair" (De stoel van Gauguin);
• “Cafe terrace at night” (Cafe terras bij nacht).

The dynamism, movement of color, and energy of the master’s brush are a reflection of the artist’s soul, his tragic quest, and impulses to understand the surrounding world of living and nonliving things:

• "Red Vineyards in Arles";
• "The Sower" (Zaaier);
• "Night cafe" (Nachtkoffie).

The artist plans to establish a society uniting budding geniuses who will reflect the future of humanity. To open society, Vincent is helped by Theo. Van Gogh assigned the leading role to Paul Gauguin. When Gauguin arrived, they quarreled so much that Van Gogh almost cut his throat on December 23, 1888. Gauguin managed to escape, and Van Gogh, repentant, cut off part of his own earlobe.

Biographers have different assessments of this episode; many believe that this act was a sign of madness provoked by excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages. Van Gogh was sent to a mental hospital, where he was kept in strict conditions in the department for the violently insane. Gauguin leaves, Theo takes care of Vincent. After treatment, Vincent dreams of returning to Arles. But city residents protested, and the artist was offered to settle next to the Saint-Paul hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, near Arles.

Since May 1889, Van Gogh has lived in Saint-Rémy, and in a year he paints more than 150 large works and about 100 drawings and watercolors, demonstrating mastery of halftones and contrast. Among them the predominant landscape genre, still lifes that convey the mood, contradictions in the author’s soul:

• "Starry Night" (Nightlights);
• “Landscape with olive trees” (Landschap met olijfbomen), etc.

In 1889, the fruits of Van Gogh's creativity were exhibited in Brussels and were met with rave reviews from colleagues and critics. But Van Gogh does not feel joy from the recognition that has finally come; he moves to Auvers-sur-Oise, where his brother and his family live. There he constantly creates, but the author’s depressed mood and nervous excitement are transmitted to the canvases of 1890; they are distinguished by broken lines, distorted silhouettes of objects and faces:

• “Village road with cypress trees” (Landelijke weg met cipressen);
• “Landscape in Auvers after the rain” (Landschap in Auvers na de regen);
• “Wheat field with crows” (Korenveld met kraaien), etc.

On July 27, 1890, Van Gogh was fatally wounded by a pistol. It is unknown whether the shot was planned or accidental, but the artist died a day later. He was buried in the same town, and 6 months later his brother Theo, whose grave is located next to Vincent, also died of nervous exhaustion.

Over 10 years of creativity, over 2,100 works appeared, of which about 860 were done in oils. Van Gogh became the founder of expressionism, post-impressionism, his principles formed the basis of Fauvism and modernism.

Posthumously, a series of triumphant exhibition events took place in Paris, Brussels, The Hague, and Antwerp. At the beginning of the 20th century, another wave of shows of works by the famous Dutchman took place in Paris, Cologne (Keulen), New York (New York), Berlin (Berlijn).

Paintings

It is not known exactly how many paintings Van Gogh painted, but art historians and researchers of his work are inclined to figure about 800. In the last 70 days of his life alone, he painted 70 paintings - one per day! Let's remember the most famous paintings with names and descriptions:

The Potato Eaters appeared in 1885 in Nuenen. The author described the task in a message to Theo: he sought to show people hard work who received little remuneration for their work. The hands cultivating the field accept his gifts.

Red vineyards in Arles

The famous painting dates back to 1888. The plot of the film is not fictional; Vincent talks about it in one of his messages to Theo. On the canvas the artist conveys what struck him rich colors: deep red grape leaves, piercing green sky, bright purple rain-washed road with golden reflections from the rays of the setting sun. The colors seem to flow into one another, conveying the author’s anxious mood, his tension, and the depth of his philosophical thoughts about the world. Such a plot will be repeated in Van Gogh’s work, symbolizing life eternally renewed through work.

Night cafe

"Night Cafe" appeared in Arles and presented the author's thoughts about a man who independently destroys own life. The idea of ​​self-destruction and steady movement towards madness is expressed by the contrast of bloody burgundy and green colors. To try to penetrate the secrets of twilight life, the author worked on the painting at night. The expressionistic style of writing conveys the fullness of passions, anxiety, and painfulness of life.

Van Gogh's legacy includes two series of works depicting sunflowers. In the first cycle there are flowers laid out on a table; they were painted during the Parisian period in 1887 and were soon acquired by Gauguin. The second series appeared in 1888/89 in Arles, on each canvas - sunflower flowers in a vase.

This flower symbolizes love and loyalty, friendship and warmth of human relationships, beneficence and gratitude. The artist expresses the depths of his worldview in sunflowers, associating himself with this sunny flower.

“Starry Night” was created in 1889 in Saint-Rémy; it depicts the stars and the moon in dynamics, framed by the boundless sky, the Universe eternally existing and rushing into infinity. The cypress trees located in the foreground strive to reach the stars, and the village in the valley is static, motionless and devoid of aspirations for the new and infinite. Expression of color approaches and use different types brush strokes convey the multidimensionality of space, its variability and depth.

This famous self-portrait was created in Arles in January 1889. An interesting feature is the dialogue of red-orange and blue-violet colors, against the background of which there is a immersion into the abyss of a person’s distorted consciousness. Attention is drawn to the face and eyes, as if looking deep into the personality. Self-portraits are a conversation between the painter and himself and the universe.

"Almond Blossoms" (Amandelbloesem) created in Saint-Rémy in 1890. The spring blossoming of almond trees is a symbol of renewal, the birth and strengthening of life. The unusual thing about the canvas is that the branches float without a foundation; they are self-sufficient and beautiful.

This portrait was painted in 1890. Bright colors convey the significance of every moment, brush work creates a dynamic image of man and nature, which are inextricably linked. The image of the hero of the picture is painful and nervous: we peer into the image of a sad old man, immersed in his thoughts, as if he had absorbed the painful experience of years.

“Wheat Field with Crows” was created in July 1890 and expresses the feeling of approaching death, the hopeless tragedy of existence. The picture is filled with symbolism: the sky before a thunderstorm, approaching black birds, roads leading to the unknown, but inaccessible.

Museum

(Van Gogh Museum) opened in Amsterdam in 1973 and presents not only the most fundamental collection of his creations, but also the works of the Impressionists. This is the first most popular exhibition center in the Netherlands.

Quotes

1. Among the clergy, as well as among the masters of the brush, a despotic academicism reigns, dull and full of prejudices;
2. Thinking about future hardships and adversities, I would not be able to create;
3. Painting is my joy and tranquility, giving me the opportunity to escape from life’s troubles;

One of the brightest artists of the XIX century, whose name is known to all fans of painting is Vincent Willem Van Gogh (30.03.1853 – 29.07.1890). His popularity, according to sociologists, is comparable to the fame of Pablo Picasso. Although the facets of their creativity still differ. The genius of the Great Leonardo covers many branches of knowledge; Picasso was known not only as a painter, but also as a talented sculptor, graphic artist, and designer. Van Gogh devoted himself entirely to painting. Van Gogh's most famous paintings with titles that can be found on our website were painted by him in just ten years of his life. creative activity.

A post-impressionist artist from the Netherlands who never managed to get special education, lived 37 years. He created a lot of paintings, some of them after his death were recognized as real masterpieces and included in the list of the most expensive paintings peace.

It cannot be said about Van Gogh that he was far from the world of art until he took up painting seriously. After leaving school, young Vincent worked at the art company Goupil and Co., co-owned by his uncle, selling paintings. For seven years Van Gogh was a successful art dealer and often visited the Hague Museum. In 1872, he began to conduct active correspondence with his younger brother Theo. In 1873 he was promoted and transferred to London, where his career was ruined unrequited love. After bitter disappointment, Van Gogh left for Belgium, to the mining village of Borinage, to serve as a preacher there, and then follow in the footsteps of his father and enter the Evangelical School. However, upon returning, he learns that tuition has already begun to be charged and indignantly refuses this opportunity. That's when Van Gogh began to paint. Whole year he attended classes at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and then decided to return to his parents, as he believed that he could study on his own.

The artist's character was not easy. His temper, constant overwork and alcohol abuse, mental turmoil influenced his onset of last years life of epileptic psychosis, to which he had a predisposition. The story of the cut off earlobe has several options. But it is she who is considered a clear sign of mental illness, which subsequently contributed to the deterioration of Van Gogh’s mental health, which led him to suicide.

Van Gogh worked with ecstasy. He was a real workaholic. In two hours he could paint a painting that would have taken other artists much longer. Controversy still rages around his name, and the legend of poverty and madness, created by the German gallery owner and art critic Julius Meyer-Graefe, is perceived by many as a real historical fact.

In reality, Van Gogh was an educated man and read a lot. He graduated from a prestigious gymnasium and was fluent in three foreign languages. For erudition and developed thinking in the society of artists he was even called Spinoza.

Of course, Van Gogh’s throwing did not please the family, but he was never left without financial support. The artist’s grandfather was a famous bookbinder of ancient documents and manuscripts, and carried out orders for several European courts. His uncles were famous and wealthy people. Three of them were engaged in the sale of paintings and other forms of art, and one was an admiral who headed the port in Antwerp. Young Vincent lived in his house when he studied in a painting class at the Academy of Arts during the day and attended a private school in the evenings. In fact, the artist was a rather pragmatic person, he assessed his capabilities quite realistically and devoted himself entirely to his work. He learned to draw using the latest textbooks, which were sent to him by his uncles, real art experts.

In 1886, Van Gogh, on the recommendation of his younger brother Theo, left for Paris. It was Theo, who successfully sold art, who advised the artist to take up joyful and bright painting. He introduces him to critics, artists such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir and others. An agreement was concluded between the brothers that in exchange for Vincent's paintings, Theo undertakes to pay him 220 francs monthly and also provides him best canvases, paints and brushes. In addition, the younger brother took on all the expenses associated with Vincent's treatment and bought him books, clothes, and necessary reproductions. In this regard, the artist never needed money; he even collected Japanese prints.

Van Gogh was a regular member of the most prestigious art exhibitions, his paintings were shown by fashionable and successful art dealers at so-called “house shows”. Vincent's sudden suicide interrupted the methodically calculated “path of glory” that he had already set on by that time. The younger brother, in whose arms he died great artist, could not survive it and died six months later. From their friendly collaboration There are a lot of paintings left, real masterpieces that were appreciated in the twentieth century.

Some time after his death, the paintings painted by the artist were recognized as truly brilliant and priceless. Among the many paintings he painted, there are the most famous ones, the names of which are familiar even to those who are far from art at all. His paintings are characterized by some features, namely:

• dynamic thick strokes;
• bright, in some cases almost “open” colors;
• bold, experimental color combinations.

"Potato Eaters"

Vincent Van Gogh painted his first serious painting back in 1885. It was not created “in one go”; it was preceded by hard preliminary work. The artist completed 12 sketches for the canvas, which he subsequently destroyed.

The painting depicts the de Groot peasant family, who, after a hard day of work, gathered at the table to have dinner by the light of a kerosene lamp. There is only one dish on the table - baked potatoes and cups of barley coffee. The tired faces of the peasants, their large, rough hands. The color palette of this work is very sparse, but unusually accurately conveys the atmosphere of peasant life.

Some researchers of the artist’s work argued that this painting is an undisguised satire on people who are not even aware of their ignorance. But in his letters, Van Gogh spoke with great respect about this family, their honesty and simple moral principles. He wanted to show in the picture the steam from hot potatoes and tired peasants busy eating, and also to evoke a feeling of compassion in the viewer.

"Self-portrait with a bandaged ear and a pipe"

In January 1889, the artist created this painting with a very strange backstory. It is still impossible to say with certainty whether Van Gogh himself cut off his earlobe or whether it was an accident that occurred during his quarrel with another famous artist, Paul Gauguin. Tired and thoughtful, with a pipe in his mouth, Vincent wrote his work, which truly became his calling card.

"Starlight Night"

The artist painted this picture in 1889, while being treated in a psychiatric hospital in the small town of Saint-Rémy, in French Provence, on the Côte d'Azur. The painting depicts a starry sky, which is the most important thing in the artist’s plan. It shows the possibilities of human mental activity, which contribute to a deep understanding of the nature of things, the interweaving of cosmic secrets and earthly cypress trees growing on a hill. The painter clearly demonstrates in the foreground the incomprehensible harmony of the Universe, its mysteries and secrets. And somewhere in the shadow of the twilight he placed city houses and mountains. He subsequently admitted to his brother that the stars were very close to him, he could look at them for a very long time and indulge in dreams.

"Irises"

The painting is considered one of the very last paintings of the great artist. Even though the disease continued to progress, he was still working. In this picture he departs from his usual technique and imbues it with extraordinary lightness and weightlessness. The color scheme he selected allows you to endlessly look at images of irises growing in the field without tension, with a feeling of relaxation and even peace. The influence of Japanese art, which the artist liked so much, is obvious here, and French impressionism. Such a complex combination of two different directions in art ensured the painter the complete success of this painting.

"Sunflowers"

Paintings with a variety of sunflowers are very famous among Van Gogh lovers and art connoisseurs. First, in Paris, the artist begins to work on images of cut flowers, and later, in Arles, he paints bouquets in vases. As it became known, he simply wanted to decorate the walls of the house for the arrival of his friend, Paul Gauguin. Gauguin liked the paintings so much that he even purchased two of them for himself.

Even a small acquaintance with the work of this brilliant artist, who created more than one masterpiece in a very short time, can serve as a significant incentive to make Van Gogh’s paintings with titles much clearer. And this one short life the hardworking master was appreciated by fans of his work.

Vincent van Gogh born in the Dutch town of Groot-Zundert on March 30, 1853. Van Gogh was the first child in the family (not counting his brother, who was stillborn). His father's name was Theodore Van Gogh, his mother's name was Carnelia. They had a large family: 2 sons and three daughters. In Van Gogh's family, all the men dealt with paintings in one way or another, or served the church. By 1869, without even finishing school, he began working in a company that sold paintings. To tell the truth, Van Gogh was not good at selling paintings, but he had a boundless love for painting, and he was also good at languages. In 1873, at the age of 20, he ended up in, where he spent 2 years, which changed his whole life.

Van Gogh lived happily in London. He had a very good salary, which was enough to visit various art galleries and museums. He even bought himself a top hat, which he simply could not live without in London. Everything was going to the point that Van Gogh could become a successful merchant, but... as often happens, love, yes, exactly love, got in the way of his career. Van Gogh fell madly in love with the daughter of his landlady, but upon learning that she was already engaged, he became very withdrawn and became indifferent to his work. When he returned he was fired.

In 1877, Van Gogh began to live again, and increasingly found solace in religion. After moving to Moscow, he began studying to become a priest, but soon dropped out of school, as the situation at the faculty did not suit him.

In 1886, at the beginning of March, Van Gogh moved to Paris to live with his brother Theo, and lived in his apartment. There he takes painting lessons from Fernand Cormon, and meets such personalities as, and many other artists. Very quickly he forgets all the darkness of Dutch life, and quickly gains respect as an artist. He draws clearly and brightly in the style of impressionism and post-impressionism.

Vincent van Gogh After spending 3 months at an evangelical school located in Brussels, he became a preacher. He distributed money and clothes to the needy poor, although he himself was not well off. This aroused suspicion among the church authorities, and his activities were banned. He did not lose heart and found solace in drawing.

By the age of 27, Van Gogh understood what his calling in this life was, and decided that he must become an artist at all costs. Although Van Gogh took drawing lessons, he can confidently be considered self-taught, because he himself studied many books, tutorials, and copied. At first he thought of becoming an illustrator, but then, when he took lessons from his relative-artist Anton Mouve, he painted his first works in oils.

It seemed that life began to get better, but Van Gogh again began to be haunted by failures, and love ones at that. His cousin Keya Vos became a widow. He really liked her, but he received a refusal, which he experienced for a long time. In addition, because of Kei, he had a very serious quarrel with his father. This disagreement was the reason for Vincent's move to The Hague. It was there that he met Klazina Maria Hoornik, who was girl lung behavior. Van Gogh lived with her for almost a year, and more than once he had to be treated for sexually transmitted diseases. He wanted to save this poor woman, and even thought of marrying her. But then his family intervened, and thoughts of marriage were simply dispelled.

Returning to his homeland to his parents, who had already moved to Nyonen by that time, his skills began to improve. He spent 2 years in his homeland. In 1885 Vincent settled in Antwerp, where he attended classes at the Academy of Arts. Then, in 1886, Van Gogh returned to Paris again, to his brother Theo, who throughout his life helped him, both morally and financially. became a second home for Van Gogh. It was in it that he lived the rest of his life. He didn't feel like a stranger here. Van Gogh drank a lot and had a very explosive temper. He could be described as a difficult person to deal with.

In 1888 he moved to Arles. Locals were not happy to see him in their town, which was located in the south of France. They considered him an abnormal sleepwalker. Despite this, Vincent found friends here and felt quite good. Over time, he came up with the idea of ​​​​creating a settlement here for artists, which he shared with his friend Gauguin. Everything was going well, but there was a disagreement between the artists. Van Gogh rushed at Gauguin, who had already become an enemy, with a razor. Gauguin barely escaped with his feet, miraculously surviving. Out of anger at failure, Van Gogh cut off part of his left ear. After spending 2 weeks in psychiatric clinic he returned there again in 1889, as he began to suffer from hallucinations.

In May 1890, he finally left the asylum and went to Paris to live with his brother Theo and his wife, who had just given birth to a boy, who was named Vincent in honor of his uncle. Life began to improve, and Van Gogh was even happy, but his illness returned again. On July 27, 1890, Vincent Van Gogh shot himself in the chest with a pistol. He died in the arms of his brother Theo, who loved him very much. Six months later, Theo also died. The brothers are buried in the Auvers cemetery nearby.

Vincent van Gogh, a native of the Netherlands, is one of the most famous artists in the whole world. Thanks to the talent of the post-impressionist, a huge number of incredible beauty works. Van Gogh's most famous paintings are now considered his “calling card”.

However, not all of them were as widely known during the artist’s lifetime as they are in our time. Only after Van Gogh's death were his works noticed by critics, and only then were they appreciated. His collection of paintings contains many priceless paintings when viewed from a cultural perspective.

Blooming almond branches 1890

"Blossoming almond branches"(1890). At the beginning of 1890, Theo, Van Gogh's brother, had a son, who was named after the artist - also Vincent. Van Gogh became very attached to the child and once wrote in a letter to his daughter-in-law Jo: “He always looks at Uncle Vincent’s paintings with great interest.” This painting was painted by Van Gogh as a gift for his nephew's birthday. The artist himself was an admirer of Japanese art, especially the genre of Ukiyo-e engraving. The influence of this branch of Japanese painting can be seen in this, one of the most famous paintings Van Gogh, which was highly praised by critics.

Wheat field with cypress trees 1889

"Wheat field with cypress trees"(1889). “Wheat Field with Cypress Trees” is one of three famous paintings by Van Gogh that are similar in composition. The painting mentioned above is the first of three and was completed in July 1889. The artist himself loved cypress trees and wheat fields and spent a lot of time enjoying their beauty. He regarded this painting as one of his best landscape paintings and, consequently, created two more similar works. It is this work that takes pride of place in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is located in New York.

Bedroom in Arles 1888

"Bedroom in Arles"(1888). This famous painting Van Gogh is the first version of the subsequent three similar paintings, which allude to it and are called much more simply - “The Bedroom”. The decision to paint this picture was made by the artist after a trip to the city of Arles, and subsequent move there. Van Gogh corresponded with his brother Theo and friend Paul Gauguin. He often sent them sketches of his future paintings, as he did with the painting “Bedroom in Arles.” However, along with the planned one painting, three versions were created during 1888–1889. This series of paintings is distinguished by the fact that it depicts other works of the artist within the canvas itself, such as self-portraits, portraits of friends and Japanese prints.

Potato Eaters 1885

"Potato Eaters"(1885). This piece was Van Gogh's first recognizable work. His goal while painting was to depict the peasants as realistically as possible. Before the world saw the final version of the canvas, the artist created many sketches and sketches. Critics noted the simple interior, which Van Gogh skillfully conveyed through the canvas, which contains only the necessary furniture. A lamp above the table casts a dim light, emphasizing the tired, simple faces peasants

Self-portrait with bandaged ear 1889

"Self-Portrait with a Bandaged Ear"(1889). Vincent Van Gogh became famous for his self-portraits. Throughout his life, he painted more than 30. This canvas has its own history. Once Van Gogh had a quarrel with one an outstanding artist of that time - Paul Gauguin, after which the first got rid of part of his left ear, namely, he cut off the lobe with an ordinary razor. This painting is one of the artist's most famous self-portraits. After an unpleasant incident with Gauguin, he painted another self-portrait. Critics believe that this painting plausibly describes the artist’s facial features, since he painted it while sitting in front of a mirror.

Night cafe terrace 1888

« Night terrace cafe"(1888). In this painting, Van Gogh depicted the terrace of a café at the Forum Square in Arles, France. Due to the recognition of this painting, which has become widely known throughout the world, the terrace, which is located in the northeast corner of the square, attracts more and more tourists every day. This work was the first in which the artist depicted the starry sky. "Café Terrace at Night" remains one of Van Gogh's most analyzed and discussed paintings. Interestingly, one of the cafes in Croatia copied the design from the artist’s painting.

Dr. Gachet's Porter 1890

"Doctor Gachet's Porter"(1890) Paul-Ferdinand Gachet was a French doctor who treated the artist during the last months of his life. This portrait is one of Van Gogh's most famous paintings. However, there are two versions of the portrait, and this is the first version. In May 1990, this painting was auctioned for US$82 million, making it the most expensive painting ever sold. To date, this remains the highest price paid for a work of art at public auction.

Irises 1889

"Irises"(1889). Among Van Gogh's most recognizable works, this painting is the most famous. It was painted by Van Gogh a year before his death, and the artist himself defined it as “a lightning rod for my illness.” He believed that this painting was his hope not to go crazy. The artist’s canvas depicts a field, part of it strewn with flowers. There are other flowers among the irises, but it is the irises that occupy the central part of the picture. In September 1987, Irises sold for US$53.9 million. At that time it was the most high price, for which not a single painting has yet been sold. Today, the painting ranks 15th in the list of the most expensive works.

Sunflowers 1887

"Sunflowers"(1888). Vincent Van Gogh is considered a master of still life paintings and his series of sunflower paintings are considered the most famous still lifes ever created. The works are famous and memorable for depicting the natural beauty of plants and their vibrant colors. One of the paintings, “Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers,” was sold to a Japanese investor for almost $40 million in March 1987. Two years later, this record was transferred to the Irises.

Starry Night 1889

"Starlight Night"(1889). This masterpiece was painted by Van Gogh from memory. It depicts the view from the window of the artist's sanatorium, which is located in Saint-Rémy de Provence in France. The work also shows Vincent's interest in astronomy, and research carried out by one of the observatories revealed that Van Gogh represented the Moon, Venus and several stars in the exact position they occupied on that clear night, which is imprinted in the artist's memory. The canvas is considered one of the greatest works in history Western art and, of course, is the most famous work Vincent Van Gogh.

A madman, a hermit, a genius... no matter how many contradictory words his contemporaries defined the personality of Vincent Van Gogh. This is the name now Dutch artist is known to many, and his paintings lead in the ranking of the most expensive works art. But during life things were completely different. Loneliness and misunderstanding from others were Van Gogh's constant companions. He became a shining example a man whose talent was appreciated only after his tragic death, as extraordinary and dual as the artist himself.

It is paradoxical that Van Gogh did not take up painting brushes at a young age. Only the last seven years of his life were associated with painting. This circumstance did not prevent him from becoming the author of about 900 paintings. Their inner mystery attracts the attention of not only professional art connoisseurs, but also ordinary people. Let's plunge into the mysterious world of Van Gogh's paintings, examining the most famous of them.

Van Gogh painted the painting in April 1885. This is one of early works, in which the author’s distinctive style began to appear. The plot is taken from real life— the canvas shows a family of poor peasants at dinner. The entire severity of their condition is conveyed by the artist dark colors. The steam from the potatoes is the only thing that warms their souls. The dim light from the lamp, like an unquenchable fire of hope for better things, brings loved ones closer together. Full depth emotional state peasants is so subtly expressed by Van Gogh that it subconsciously evokes a feeling of compassion in the audience.

The creation of this painting took place during the artist’s stay in a psychiatric hospital small town Saint-Remy. Van Gogh's idea was to show the powerful power of human imagination - that state that saturates everyday things with meaning, depth, and amazing colors. Made in the post-impressionist genre, the painting depicts the night sky, which purposefully occupies the main place of the canvas. The author focuses on the huge bright yellow stars, the passing month and the amazing cypress trees growing on the hill. This composition is absorbed into the mysterious whirlwind of galaxies, the calm and harmony of the Universe. Only in the distance can you see the outline of a mountain and a sleepy town. Thus, Van Gogh subtly shows the contrast between the earthly and the heavenly.

It is not surprising that such themes occupied a special place in the work of the Dutch artist. Van Gogh repeatedly admitted to his brother that while looking at the stars, he indulged in dreams and was close to them in soul and heart.

Work on the painting was completed in June 1889. In the mid-twentieth century, Van Gogh's work was transferred under the patronage of the New York Museum contemporary art, where and now Starlight Night the artist is available for public viewing.

This painting is one of Van Gogh's last creations. By the end of 1889, the illness had completely taken hold of the master, but he stubbornly continued to work with canvas and his favorite brushes. Foreshadowing his inevitable end, the great artist sought solace in creativity. Many art historians argue that it was the illness that influenced Van Gogh so much that he moved away from his usual style of painting. The picture is filled with a new state - weightlessness, lightness, which is skillfully emphasized by the color scheme.

The plot conveys the beauty of nature - a field dotted with different flowers. However, irises appear central to the composition, which explains the name of the masterpiece. Van Gogh chose an unusual angle for the key object. The flowers are arranged in such a way that it seems that the viewer himself is present in the field and contemplates nature alive. Warm shades of blue give the picture peace and harmony. The influence of such popular Japanese painting can be seen with the naked eye in the work. Van Gogh combined innovation with his usual impressionism, which ensured the success of his work.

The painting was first purchased for 300 francs by the French art critic Octave Mirbeau. At the end of the century, “Irises” acquired the status of the most expensive painting, since it hit the jackpot at auction - Van Gogh’s work was valued at more than $50 million.

Not enjoying success as an artist, Van Gogh did not give up hope of creating the work that was supposed to light his star in the firmament of famous and sought-after masters. One day, returning home in the evening, he was captivated by what was happening - the people who were harvesting grapes appeared in Van Gogh's eyes as purple and blue dots, drowning in the bright light of the setting sun. The author decided to capture this moment in a new work and was not mistaken.

For for long years the painting was considered the only work that was sold during the artist’s lifetime. It was purchased for 400 francs by Anna Bosch during an exhibition in Brussels. Later, “Red Vineyards in Arles” came into the possession of the Russian collector Ivan Morozov. Nowadays it is exhibited in the Museum fine arts named after A.S. Pushkin.

This painting once again shows the artist’s admiration for the night time. It was painted during the so-called Arles period of creativity, when Van Gogh developed his own style of painting. It seems surprising that when depicting the night sky, the artist completely abandoned the use of black paint. The rich yellow color seems to break through the deep darkness of the night and captivate with its bright radiance.

It is interesting that Van Gogh did not recreate the night in the studio, as his contemporaries usually did, but created under open air. According to rumors, in order to be able to see his canvas, the artist attached candles to his hat and thus fought the darkness.

It should be noted that Van Gogh repeatedly turned to the genre of self-portrait throughout his creative career. The result of this hobby was a series of paintings with his own image. However, it is “Self-Portrait with a Cut-off Ear and Pipe” that has its own ambiguous backstory. Researchers of the artist’s work claim that it was a quarrel with an old friend that pushed the artist to inflict bodily harm on himself. Suffering from mental instability, Van Gogh could not cope with violent emotions, and cut off his earlobe. Actually, this is how the famous artist is presented on the canvas, tired of illness and despair.