About the Art of Vincent van Gogh

The art of Vincent van Vogh is primarily an example of Dutch Post-Impressionism. Many of the works are some of the best known in the world, influencing many artists. The man lived for just 37 years, eventually committing suicide in 1890. He died in the Ravoux Inn near Paris after shooting himself in the chest in a field. Today, his work can be seen at museums across the planet. At auctions, his paintings have been known to fetch tens of millions. His piece, "Portrait of Dr. Gachet," sold for $82.5 million U.S. dollars in 1990 according to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC).

Considerations

Vincent van Gogh's early artistic work was based heavily on his experience working as an art dealer with his uncle. The firm was named "Goupil and Cie" in The Hague. His exposure to a variety of works influenced his innovative style. He also spent a few years in his early adulthood teaching and preaching. In 1880, he began his career and worked with a number of darker colors.

Identification

While in Paris, van Gogh became incredibly obsessed with Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism. He incorporated the bright colors of other Dutch painters working with basic artistic subjects and created work that had visible brush strokes with an emphasis on light and movement.

Size

Over the course of his life, van Gogh created over 2,000 known pieces of art. A little under half of these were paintings, while the remainder were comprised primarily of sketches and drawings. He worked steadily until his suicide, producing work for 10 years.

Significance

The art of Vincent van Gogh is considered early work in the field of Expressionism. The works heavily influenced early 20th century art. Most modern art critics and dealers consider him one of the pioneers of the style. The time frame in which he painted, however, was primarily considered Post-Impressionist.

Fun Fact

According to the University of Antwerp, van Gogh is estimated to have painted over approximately 80 percent of his works. Using X-ray technology in association with the Delft University of Technology, a team developed a way to see underneath a layer of paint on a canvas in 2008.

Resources

• Vincent van Gogh Gallery
• WebMuseum van Gogh
• $82 Million Dollar Painting That Got Away