Interesting Facts About Vincent van Gogh (Amazing, Important, & Fun Facts)

Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch painter who is among the most important, famous, and influential artists in Western art.

His work, notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty, and bold color, had a profound influence on 20th-century art.

Although he spent his early adult years working as an artist in various parts of Europe, he is associated with the Post-Impressionist movement that originated in France.

Van Gogh, who painted famous paintings like “The Starry Night” and Sunflowers, created many paintings that are among the most expensive pieces in the world.

What Did van Gogh Suffer From Mentally?

It is believed that van Gogh suffered from a number of mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder (manic depression) and post-traumatic stress disorder. He was known to have periods of great creativity and productivity, followed by periods of intense anxiety and depression.

Van Gogh was also known to self-medicate with alcohol and drugs.

While the exact cause of Vincent’s mental illness is unknown, it is clear that it profoundly affected his life and work. Vincent’s mental illness often made him feel isolated and alone, inspiring some of his most famous paintings.

Why Did van Gogh Cut Off Part of His Ear?

There are a few theories as to why Van Gogh cut off his ear.

One theory is that he was suffering from an episode of untreated mental illness, which caused him to have delusions and hallucinations.

Another theory is that he did it as a form of self-mutilation, as a way to cope with the pain he was feeling.

It’s also possible that he did it as a way of getting attention, or as a way of expressing his love for someone.

No matter what the reason was, it’s clear that Vincent’s act was a result of his mental state at the time. He was clearly in a lot of pain, both mentally and physically.

Cutting off part of his ear was likely an act of desperation, as he felt like he had no other outlet for his feelings.

Did Vincent van Gogh Marry?

Vincent van Gogh never married, however in 1881, he moved to The Hague (a city in the Netherlands) and began a relationship with Sien Hoornik, a prostitute who was a single mom and pregnant by another man.

Sien and her 5-year daughter moved in with Vincent van Gogh, and she gave birth to a son. However, the couple had a turbulent relationship that only lasted 18 months.

Did Vincent van Gogh Have a Child?

This is a question that has been debated for many years. Some say yes, while others say no. There is no concrete evidence either way, but there are some theories.

One of the most popular theories is that van Gogh may have fathered a child with one of the prostitutes he frequently visited.

While there is no concrete evidence that van Gogh had a child, it is certainly plausible given his lifestyle and circumstances.

How Many Paintings Did Van Gough Paint?

Although he didn’t start painting or drawing until he was 27, Van Gogh is estimated to have produced around 2,100 artworks in 10 years (he died when he was 37 years old).

His work of art consisted of about 860 oil paintings and more than 1,300 watercolors, drawings, and sketches.

However, of these paintings, only about 200 survive today. The majority of the rest were destroyed by Van Gogh himself, as he was known to cut up his canvases when he was unhappy with the results.

How Many Paintings Did van Gogh Sell While Alive?

During his lifetime, Van Gogh struggled to find buyers for his work. He was often rejected by galleries and dealers, and as a result, he only sold one painting while alive.

The painting, “The Red Vineyard at Arles”, was sold to a friend for 400 Belgian francs.

After his death, the sale of his work has brought in billions of dollars in revenue, making him one of the most successful painters in history.

What Is the Most Expensive Painting by van Gogh?

Despite not finding success in his lifetime, Vincent van Gogh’s paintings have gone on to fetch millions of dollars at auction.

In 1990, his “Portrait of Dr. Gachet” sold for $82.5 million at Christie’s, making it at the time the most expensive painting ever sold at auction.

How Did van Gogh Lose His Life?

In July 1890, Vincent van Gogh died from a gunshot wound. The exact circumstances of how he lost his life remain a mystery to this day.

Some believe that van Gogh committed suicide after suffering from years of mental illness. Others believe that he was accidentally shot by two teenagers who were playing with a gun.

Whatever the case may be, Vincent van Gogh’s life ended tragically and prematurely. He was only 37 years old when he died.

Inspired by Vincent van Gogh

You can watch “Loving Vincent” free on Amazon Prime Video with their 30-day free trial. (Plus you get to watch tons of movies and TV shows for free for 30 days too.)

“Loving Vincent” is a movie about the life of Vincent van Gogh, and in particular, about the circumstances surrounding his death.

I found such a new, deep appreciation for Vincent’s artwork from this movie… And then I went overboard and ended up buying 6 van Gogh prints on iCanvas. lol

What Were Vincent van Gogh’s Last Words?

His last words were reported to be, “La tristesse durera toujours.” (“The sadness will last forever.”)

Some believe that Van Gogh was referring to the deep sorrow he felt over the death of his friend, fellow artist Paul Gauguin, with whom he had a falling out shortly before Gauguin left for Tahiti.

Others believe that Van Gogh was referring to his own sad and tragic life, which ended in suicide.

Whatever the true meaning of Van Gogh’s last words, they have taken on a life of their own and continue to be interpreted in different ways by different people.