Vincent van Gogh Timeline
Vincent van Gogh by People
Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch painter, is one of the most influential figures in the history of Western art. He created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which date from the last two years of his life. His notable works include "Starry Night," "Sunflowers," and self-portraits that are recognized for their emotional intensity and bold use of color. Despite his immense talent, van Gogh struggled with mental illness and remained poor and virtually unknown throughout his life. Today, his paintings are some of the most expensive in the world, highlighting his significant impact on the art world.
March 30, 1853
Birth of Vincent van Gogh in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands
This renowned artist was born to a minister father and an artist mother. His birthplace, Groot-Zundert, is a small village in the southern part of the Netherlands. His upbringing in this rural setting would later heavily influence his art.
September 15, 1864
Start of van Gogh's Boarding School Education in Zevenbergen
The young artist was sent to a boarding school in Zevenbergen, a town in the Netherlands. Here, he was exposed to a formal education system, which included subjects like languages and mathematics. This period of his life was significant as it marked a shift from his home education to a more structured learning environment.
July 30, 1869
Van Gogh's Employment at Goupil & Cie, an Art Dealership in The Hague
The artist started working at Goupil & Cie, a prominent art dealership, where he was exposed to a variety of artworks. This job was instrumental in shaping his future career as a painter. However, he was dismissed from the firm in 1876 due to his lack of interest in commercial art trade.
December 1, 1876
Van Gogh's Brief Career as an Assistant Teacher in England
The famous artist took up a position at a boarding school in Ramsgate, England. His role involved teaching subjects like art and languages. However, he did not stay long in this profession, as his true passion was painting.
May 1, 1877
Van Gogh Moves to Amsterdam to Study Theology
The artist relocated to the Dutch capital to pursue religious studies, a path he hoped would lead to a career as a pastor, like his father. However, he struggled with his studies and eventually left the university. This period of his life was significant as it marked a turning point, leading him towards his true calling - art.
December 1, 1879
Van Gogh Works as a Lay Preacher in Belgium
The Dutch artist took up a position in a coal mining region in Belgium, known as the Borinage. He was deeply moved by the miners' harsh life and poverty, which influenced his later work. His time as a lay preacher was short-lived, as he was dismissed for overzealous behavior.
April 1, 1880
Van Gogh Decides to Become an Artist
Before this decision, the Dutchman had worked as an art dealer, teacher, and preacher. His choice to pursue art was influenced by his brother Theo, who offered both emotional and financial support. This marked the beginning of a decade-long career that would produce over 2,000 artworks but receive little recognition during his lifetime.
Year 1882
Van Gogh Moves to The Hague to Live with Sien Hoornik
The artist relocated to The Hague, a city in the Netherlands, to cohabit with Sien Hoornik, a woman of lower social standing. This move was controversial and caused a rift in his family. During this period, he focused on drawing and painting the lives of the poor, influenced by his surroundings and Sien's life.
April 1, 1885
Completion of 'The Potato Eaters', van Gogh's First Major Work
'The Potato Eaters' is a dark, somber piece that depicts a family of peasants around a dinner table. This painting is considered van Gogh's first masterpiece, showcasing his ability to capture the harsh realities of rural life. It was created during his stay in Nuenen, a small village in the Netherlands.
March 1, 1886
Van Gogh Moves to Paris, Begins to Use Brighter Colors in His Art
In Paris, the artist was influenced by the vibrant colors and innovative techniques of the Impressionist movement. This shift in style marked a significant change in his work, moving away from the darker tones of his early Dutch period. His time in Paris was a transformative period, leading to his signature style.
February 1, 1888
Van Gogh Moves to Arles, France, Begins His Most Productive Period
In Arles, the artist found the bright sunlight and vibrant colors inspiring, leading to a period of intense creativity. Here, he produced some of his best-known works, including 'The Yellow House' and 'Sunflowers'. Despite his prolific output, this period was also marked by bouts of mental illness.
December 23, 1888
Van Gogh Suffers a Mental Breakdown, Cuts Off Part of His Ear
The artist, in a state of severe mental distress, used a razor to remove a portion of his own ear. This incident occurred in Arles, France, where he was living at the time. After the act, he wrapped the severed piece in newspaper and gave it to a woman at a local brothel.
May 8, 1889
Van Gogh Admits Himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole Asylum in Saint-Rémy
The artist chose to enter the asylum after suffering from severe bouts of mental illness, including hallucinations and depression. During his stay, he created some of his most famous works, including "Starry Night". Despite the challenging environment, he found inspiration in the asylum's gardens and the surrounding countryside.
May 20, 1890
Van Gogh Moves to Auvers-sur-Oise Under Care of Dr. Gachet
The artist relocated to a small village north of Paris to be under the supervision of Dr. Paul Gachet, a physician known for treating artists. This move was made in hopes of improving his mental health. The rural scenery of Auvers-sur-Oise inspired some of his most famous works.
July 29, 1890
Death of Vincent van Gogh from a Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound
The famous artist ended his life in the small town of Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, France. He was suffering from severe depression and mental illness. His tragic death occurred in his room at the Auberge Ravoux inn, where he had been staying.
Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch painter, is one of the most influential figures in the history of Western art. He created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which date from the last two years of his life. His notable works include "Starry Night," "Sunflowers," and self-portraits that are recognized for their emotional intensity and bold use of color. Despite his immense talent, van Gogh struggled with mental illness and remained poor and virtually unknown throughout his life. Today, his paintings are some of the most expensive in the world, highlighting his significant impact on the art world.
This renowned artist was born to a minister father and an artist mother. His birthplace, Groot-Zundert, is a small village in the southern part of the Netherlands. His upbringing in this rural setting would later heavily influence his art.
The young artist was sent to a boarding school in Zevenbergen, a town in the Netherlands. Here, he was exposed to a formal education system, which included subjects like languages and mathematics. This period of his life was significant as it marked a shift from his home education to a more structured learning environment.
The artist started working at Goupil & Cie, a prominent art dealership, where he was exposed to a variety of artworks. This job was instrumental in shaping his future career as a painter. However, he was dismissed from the firm in 1876 due to his lack of interest in commercial art trade.
The famous artist took up a position at a boarding school in Ramsgate, England. His role involved teaching subjects like art and languages. However, he did not stay long in this profession, as his true passion was painting.
The artist relocated to the Dutch capital to pursue religious studies, a path he hoped would lead to a career as a pastor, like his father. However, he struggled with his studies and eventually left the university. This period of his life was significant as it marked a turning point, leading him towards his true calling - art.
The Dutch artist took up a position in a coal mining region in Belgium, known as the Borinage. He was deeply moved by the miners' harsh life and poverty, which influenced his later work. His time as a lay preacher was short-lived, as he was dismissed for overzealous behavior.
Before this decision, the Dutchman had worked as an art dealer, teacher, and preacher. His choice to pursue art was influenced by his brother Theo, who offered both emotional and financial support. This marked the beginning of a decade-long career that would produce over 2,000 artworks but receive little recognition during his lifetime.
The artist relocated to The Hague, a city in the Netherlands, to cohabit with Sien Hoornik, a woman of lower social standing. This move was controversial and caused a rift in his family. During this period, he focused on drawing and painting the lives of the poor, influenced by his surroundings and Sien's life.
'The Potato Eaters' is a dark, somber piece that depicts a family of peasants around a dinner table. This painting is considered van Gogh's first masterpiece, showcasing his ability to capture the harsh realities of rural life. It was created during his stay in Nuenen, a small village in the Netherlands.
In Paris, the artist was influenced by the vibrant colors and innovative techniques of the Impressionist movement. This shift in style marked a significant change in his work, moving away from the darker tones of his early Dutch period. His time in Paris was a transformative period, leading to his signature style.
In Arles, the artist found the bright sunlight and vibrant colors inspiring, leading to a period of intense creativity. Here, he produced some of his best-known works, including 'The Yellow House' and 'Sunflowers'. Despite his prolific output, this period was also marked by bouts of mental illness.
The artist, in a state of severe mental distress, used a razor to remove a portion of his own ear. This incident occurred in Arles, France, where he was living at the time. After the act, he wrapped the severed piece in newspaper and gave it to a woman at a local brothel.
The artist chose to enter the asylum after suffering from severe bouts of mental illness, including hallucinations and depression. During his stay, he created some of his most famous works, including "Starry Night". Despite the challenging environment, he found inspiration in the asylum's gardens and the surrounding countryside.
The artist relocated to a small village north of Paris to be under the supervision of Dr. Paul Gachet, a physician known for treating artists. This move was made in hopes of improving his mental health. The rural scenery of Auvers-sur-Oise inspired some of his most famous works.
The famous artist ended his life in the small town of Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, France. He was suffering from severe depression and mental illness. His tragic death occurred in his room at the Auberge Ravoux inn, where he had been staying.