Vincent van Gogh
1853-1890 · Dutch (Zundert; worked in France) · Post-Impressionism
Known for: Tortured genius who painted The Starry Night, cut off his ear, and sold almost nothing in his lifetime
Van Gogh failed as an art dealer, teacher, and missionary before finding painting at 27. He produced over 2,100 works in a single frenzied decade, often a painting a day. The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Bedroom in Arles are now among the most recognized images in the world.
He suffered severe mental illness, severed part of his ear during a breakdown, and shot himself at 37. His brother Theo was his sole support. His paintings now sell for over $100 million.
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