Vincent van Gogh My Favorite Artist. Robin Thompson Rollie Fink, Instructor April 29, 2015

Vincent van Gogh My husband calls Vincent van Gogh the “wack job” that cut off his ear and committed suicide. Is he? Or is there another possible explanation to this “Who done it” story? Here is van Gogh’s story… with an alternative answers to this question. ?

Vincent van Gogh Vinent was born in the Netherlands in 1853. He painted most of his pictures in the last 10 years of his short life of 37 years. It was only after he died that people realized what a great artist he was.

Young Vincent van Gogh Vincent was not a happy child People say he was rude and bad tempered The little boy with red hair and freckles that hardly ever smiled

Vincent’s passions… I love to doodle and translate the bible into English, French and German.

Vincent growing up When he was 16, Vincent worked for his uncle “Vincent” as an art dealer. But was fired. At 23, he became a minister and a missionary.

Worked for the Dutch Reform Church He was fired because he was considered to be too radical when he gave away everything he owned to help poor people.

Vincent’s first large painting While working as a missionary, van Gogh painted the hard life of the pheasant. Notice the dark colors of his palette.

With “The Potato Eaters” Vincent wanted to make his figures look as if they were painted with the very earth they worked. This painting is considered his first masterpiece.

Vincent’s brother Theo It was Theo who encouraged Vincent to become an artist. Theo gave Vincent money to live on and buy paint. Theo invited Vincent to come to Paris where Theo worked as an art dealer for their uncle. Vincent stayed in Paris for 2 years.

Vincent Living in Paris Vincent was introduced to the French Impressionist. He loved working with the other artist and hoped to one day to start an art community. He hated Paris. So Vincent left to paint in the South of France where he thought the light would be good for painting. Paintings by Georges Seurat, Impressionist, influenced van Gogh.

Moved to Arles in the south of France Vincent missed his brother Theo and wrote to him often. In eight years, Vincent wrote over 600 letters to Theo and Theo wrote 40 letters back to Vincent. Vincent became good friends of Joseph Roulin who was a postman in Arles. Vincent painted him and his family quite often.

He lived in a Little yellow house Here is a painting of Vincent’s bedroom in Arles. He painted it many times. He used thick brush strokes carefully placed and often used paint straight from the tube. Notice the brighter colors.

Paul Gaugin goes to Arles Vincent and Theo convince their friend Paul Gauguin to visit van Gogh in Arles. Vincent was thinking of the possibility of his art colony. Excited to have Paul there, Vincent decorates Paul’s bedroom with lots of sunflower paintings.

Here is a painting that Paul Gauguin painted of Vincent. Buddies for 2 months They painted together. They partied together. And, they argued together. Here is a painting that Paul Gauguin painted of Vincent. Notice the red beard.

Ear goes here A

Did Paul cut off Vincent’s ear? Gaugin was an excellent swordsman. Is it possible that Paul Gaugin cut off Vincent’s left ear either in anger or self-defense? Very possible!

Fighting mental illness It was shortly after this ear incident that Vincent checked himself into an asylum. He couldn’t sleep at night and he was having seizures. They allowed him to go outside to paint during the day until they caught him eating his paint.

The starlight evolved into dancing movement. His best known work was painted in the asylum from memory… The Stary Night Early work in Arles… The starlight evolved into dancing movement.

In May 1890, Vincent was released from the asylum Vincent moved to just outside of Paris to be near his brother Theo and his doctor. In two months time, he painted over 70 paintings… almost one- a-day! Only painting sold in his life time…

Vincent meets Rene Secretan… trouble! 16 year old bully who teased van Gogh For example, Rene put hot pepper on his paint brushes that Vincent sucked when he was deep in thought Rene loved to dress up as a cowboy and play with his gun

animation of tomato

On July 27, Vincent shot himself. Died 2 days later.

On July 27, Vincent shot himself. Died 2 days later. Or did he?

Evidence to the contrary… The week before, Vincent ordered more paint. The day of his death, Vincent mailed a letter to Theo where his tone was happy. There was no suicide note which was odd for a man who loved to write. After he was shot, no gun was found. No easel. No brushes. No black powder residue on Vincent’s hand.

More evidence… Angle of bullet had to be shot by Vincent’s left hand and he was right handed. Vincent was shot in his rib cage which is an odd place to shoot yourself for a suicide! Asked if he meant to kill himself, he replied “Yes, I believe so.” Not a real convincing statement.

If Vincent would protect Paul Gauguin… Would Vincent protect the boy who may have shot him accidentally, also? Very possible!

After all… What would Jesus do? Notice the red beard.

Father!

They know not what they do! Father! Forgive them. They know not what they do!

Vincent died two days later. Theo died the following year from a mixture of illness and grief at the loss of his brother.

Vincent died two days later. Theo died the following year from a mixture of illness and grief at the loss of his brother.