Looking inside Vincent van Gogh born 1853 died 1890

Do you recognize this famous image? Pen drawing by Van Gogh, executed after the painting

Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, 1889

The family photo Vincent far left and his brother Theo (third from the left) Vincent’s brother Theo was an art dealer who supported him throughout his life. He sold only one painting during his lifetime.

Before starting his career as an artist he worked as an art dealer selling paintings. Before starting his career as an artist he worked as an art dealer selling paintings. Only began his career as an artist when he was 27 Only began his career as an artist when he was 27 He also studied to be a preacher He also studied to be a preacher His early paintings were influenced by Millet and Rembrandt His early paintings were influenced by Millet and Rembrandt Early Career

The subjects of van Gogh’s earliest paintings were the peasants he had come to know and the places they lived. The Potato Eaters 1885

Rembrandt van Rijn Supper at Emmaus 1648; Oil on wood; The Louvre

The Impressionists: Claude Monet painted outdoors and used bright intense colour

The Impressionists Vincent van Gogh studied and worked with the Impressionists in Paris. Vincent van Gogh studied and worked with the Impressionists in Paris. The Impressionists painted pictures of outdoor scenes using loose brushstrokes and dabs of colour. The Impressionists painted pictures of outdoor scenes using loose brushstrokes and dabs of colour.

Still life: Vase with 12 sunflowers, August 1888 Sunflowers were a favorite subject of van Gogh

Morning: Going out to Work (After Millet), January, 1890

Influenced by Japanese woodcut prints In the Hollow of a Wave off the Coast at Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai.

Key points Used pure colour from the tube Used pure colour from the tube often used complementary colours Very little shading or value (light to dark) Very little shading or value (light to dark) Space in the picture appears flat Space in the picture appears flat Like in Japanese prints Like in Japanese prints

In Arles he planned to establish a studio for artists so they might be able to learn from each other. This one is van Gogh’s personal favourite Van Gogh’s bedroom Vincent's Bedroom in Arles, October 1888 Oil on Canvas, 72 x 90 cm Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum

Vincent commits suicide 27 July July 1890 On that Sunday evening Vincent van Gogh set out, with his easel and painting materials, into the fields. On that Sunday evening Vincent van Gogh set out, with his easel and painting materials, into the fields. There he took out a revolver and shot himself in the chest. There he took out a revolver and shot himself in the chest. He died two days later He died two days later

Van Gogh’s last painting

Vincent used strong colour contrast as seen in this close-up Complementary colours: red (pink) and green

Self Portrait Vincent Van Gogh. Painted in 1889, shows his use of bold colour and active brushstrokes