Van Gogh

The artist's personality was extremely contradictory and complex, combining both bright and extremely difficult traits.

•Inconsistency.
On the one hand, he could be quiet, serious, and even modest. On the other, he displayed a quick temper, impulsiveness, and eccentricity, which often alienated those around him. As a child, he could be silent and thoughtful at times, then suddenly become loud and quarrelsome.
•Deep empathy and sensitivity.
Van Gogh keenly felt the pain of others and was deeply concerned about the fate of other people.
•Passion and dedication.
He was a man of strong passions, capable of impulsive actions for which he later felt shame. At the same time, he demonstrated incredible hard work and persistence in his quest to become an artist, despite numerous setbacks.
•Emotional sensitivity and vulnerability.
His sensitivity was so heightened that it made him vulnerable to criticism and misunderstanding. This, coupled with mental illness, led to profound internal conflicts.

Contemporaries and self-portraits provide a fairly complete picture of his appearance. Van Gogh was thin, with red hair and a piercing gaze. His face was often marked by the marks of suffering and sleepless nights. Self-portraits reveal uneven features, deep wrinkles, sunken cheeks, and a pointed chin, suggesting a difficult lifestyle. His red beard and hair, often tousled, gave him a rebellious air.

He was born on March 30, 1853 in the Dutch village of Groot-Zundert into the family of a Protestant pastor.
In 1869 he began working for the art and trade firm Goupil & Cie, where he became closely acquainted with art.
At the age of 30, he took up painting seriously, largely thanks to the support of his younger brother Theo, who became the artist’s main support.
In Paris he met the Impressionists, and his palette became lighter.
In 1888 he moved to Arles, where he created numerous works.
In December 1888, after a quarrel with Paul Gauguin, he cut off part of his ear.
Later he was treated in a psychiatric clinic.
He died on July 29, 1890 in Auvers-sur-Oise.
He did not receive widespread recognition during his lifetime, but after his death he became one of the most renowned artists—a prominent exponent of Post-Impressionism. In just over ten years of creative work, he created approximately 2,100 works.