Vincent van Gogh
(1853-1890)
During his brief lifetime, Vincent van Gogh produced over 2,000 paintings and sketches. The selection presented here includes his most famous works: Sunflowers (one of seven) and Starry Night, popularized by singer-song writer Don Maclean in his moving ballad Vincent. The latter is the last of a trilogy of paintings that feature star lit skies; the other two being Café Terrace on the Place du Forum at Night, and Starry Night over the Rhone.
Vincent van Gogh is also celebrated for his magnificent portraits, which he painted throughout his life and which reflect the development of his style and his genius. He painted himself whenever he could not afford a model, and those of the people he knew. Portrait of Doctor Gachet is among the most well-known of his portraits, notably for its distinction as the most expensive painting ever sold at an auction. On May 15, 1990 it was sold within three minutes for US $82.5 million to Ryoei Saito, Japan's second-largest paper manufacturer.
The Potato Eaters is an example of van Gogh's early works, whereas Sunset: Wheat Fields with Crows represents one of his final works, painted within six months of his death. It vividly expresses the emotional turmoils he was going through at that time, as some would interpret from the vibrant colors he used, and the ominous presence of the crows. One can see the contrast in style between this painting and his earlier landscape works such as Harvest at La Crau. Some of his best and most moving works were nevertheless produced during the three years preceding his death (1887-1890), many of which depict French landscapes and life in the countryside.
|
The Potato Eaters |
|
Woman sitting in the Café du Tambourin |
|
Harvest at La Crau |
|
The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night |
|
Starry Night over the Rhône |
|
Vase with Sunflowers |
|
Starry Night |
|
Half-figure of an Angel (after Rembrandt) |
|
Portrait of Doctor Gachet |
|
The Siesta |
|
Sunset: Wheat Field with Crows |
