Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), post-Impressionist artist, is one of the most famous and celebrated artists in history. His distinctive style and use of color are instantly recognizable, making his paintings some of the most sought-after and valuable in the world. Though he was not commercially successful during his lifetime, Van Gogh’s work has since been hailed as among the greatest ever created, and he is now considered one of the most important figures in Western art.
Van Gogh was born in the Netherlands to an upper-middle class family. He showed an early interest in art but was discouraged by his parents from pursuing it as a career. Instead, he embarked on a series of short-lived jobs, including working as an art dealer and teaching at a school for girls. In 1879, he decided to become an artist full time and traveled to Brussels to study under painter Charles Decoster. The following year, he moved to Paris where he met other artists who would have a profound influence on his work, including Paul Gauguin and Camille Pissarro.
Despite being largely self-taught, Van Gogh developed into a highly skilled painter with a unique style all his own. He frequently used bold colors and thick brushstrokes to depict rural life and landscapes; subjects that were particularly close to his heart. In 1886, after two years living in Paris, Van Gogh decided to move back to his native Netherlands; first spending time with his brother Theo in Amsterdam then moving south to live with another brother in Nuenen. It was during this period that some of Van Gogh’s best known works were created; including “The Potato Eaters” (1885) – which depicted peasant life realistically rather than idealistically – and “Sorrowing Old Man” (at Eternity’s Gate)” (1890).
While living in Nuenen, Van Gogh became increasingly depressed due partly due to increasing anxiety about Gauguin’s presence in Paris as well as financial difficulties stemming from decreased demand for his paintings. In February 1888 he moved yet again; this time voluntarily checking himself into an asylum near Saint-Remy-de-Provence where he remained for over a year before finally discharged back into Theo’s care in 1890. During this final phase of mental illness prior to his death, Van gogh produced some of his most memorable works; including “Starry Night” ( 1889) – which depicts the view from inside the asylum window at night – as well as several portraits of doctors whom he felt had helped him recover somewhat from mental illness .
On July 27th 1890 Vincent van Gogh died from a gunshot wound inflicted by either himself or another person; though it remains unknown definitively which is true . He was only 37 years old but had achieved great acclaim both during and after his lifetime; cementing himself as one of the most important painters in history .