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Why is Every Art Lover Still Passionate about Van Gogh?
- Poulomi
- Aug 17
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 1
A lot of people today are fascinated with modern art, and why not? Beyond aesthetics, contemporary art is a clarion call to go beyond the traditional expressions of art by spotlighting the “socio-political” and environmental issues of the modern era.
In such a world of trends and innovation, the penchant for the old is still the same. We are talking about Vincent Van Gogh – an everlasting, utterly loved, and revered personality by art admirers everywhere.
When paintings of a bygone era, like those of Van Gogh's artworks, continue to be loved and honored by the modern world, it becomes a source of wonder, and awe for many.
This blog will walk you through what immortalized this 19th-century painter, and how Vincent Van Gogh’s famous paintings continue to inspire millions today.
You’ll discover:
Who is Van Gogh?
A summary of his entire life.
Vincent and his Mental Health
Explore if Vincent Van Gogh’s famous paintings were influenced by his mental health.
Intensity of Colors in Van Gogh’s most famous paintings:
Van Gogh’s journey from muted colors to contrasting ones.
Popular Myths:
Several myths surrounding the artist and his mental health.
Why Van Gogh is Still Loved by All?
A final statement on why his works have become a legacy in the modern world.
Who is Van Gogh?
Vincent Van Gogh, a Dutch painter born in March 1853, is mostly famous for his “The Starry Night” painting, which continues to live in the hearts of people. In his early career, Vincent had no luck working as an art dealer, preacher, and bookseller.
To the dismay of his parents, he took up art as a career, thanks to his younger brother Theo, who supported his decision and helped him financially throughout his lifetime.
His first masterpiece was “The Potato Eaters,” which revealed the stark reality of a typical Dutch peasant’s life, where, despite struggles and hardships, the warmth of connection can be felt in the frugal lunch they can be seen enjoying together.
Vincent struggled with his mental health and even cut his right ear during his stay in the Saint-Paul asylum. A prolific artist, his drawings numbered over a thousand, in a life cut short by his untimely death on 29th July 1890.
During his stay at Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, he felt peaceful, but only momentarily, and eventually committed suicide at the age of 37, leaving behind his masterpieces and a legacy to be remembered.
Many say that “The Red Vineyard” by Vincent is the only artwork he sold during his entire life, while others claim this to be untrue.
Are Van Gogh Paintings Reflections of his Mental Health?
Van Gogh’s mental illness remains a mystery, and although there are several studies, nothing is conclusive, so far. But despite the factual opacity, it is apparent that he might be suffering from bipolar mood disorder and borderline personality disorder.
He must also have been prone to schizophrenia and pica. The real question is whether the paintings of Van Gogh are a mere reflection of his mental agitation, and neither scientists nor historians have reached clarity on this debate.
His letters to his brother Theo clearly express that he had bouts of mood swings from high emotional states (mania) to low emotional ones (depression) that can be linked to bipolar disorder symptoms.
Several studies have attempted to discover possible links between creativity and mental illnesses, but there is no definitive conclusion. Art can be a cathartic outlet to pour one’s emotions on the canvas, but to dismiss Vincent Van Gogh’s famous paintings as a byproduct of his mental disharmony is to undermine his talent and understate his artistic genius.
Intensity of Colors In Van Gogh’s Paintings
The colors in Vincent Van Gogh’s famous paintings are intense, like powerful emotions that allow us a glimpse into the depths of his soul.
However, his colors were not always complementary, as he started with dark, muddy tones, evident through his early works, “The Potato Eaters.” His early paintings were influenced by his trainer, Anton Mauve, who tutored him in the traditions of Dutch paintings, characterized by dark, muted and earthy tones.
As days passed, the artist became more inclined towards strong colour contrasts, a switch from the lighter tones. He studied extensively on color theory that shaped his artworks in later years.
Mostly, he preferred using combinations of red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple. When he moved to Paris, a ceiling painting by Eugène Delacroix at the Louvre inspired him to use colors loosely.
Besides, the impressionists' use of vivid colors and the Pointillism technique motivated him to further explore and experiment with colors.
His obsession with hues made “blue” the dominant color in his artworks, like “The Starry Night,” and “The Bedroom”. The thick layers of his paintings heighten the emotional intensity, as Vincent believed that hues need to be boldly exaggerated to convey a feeling.
Van Gogh’s artworks were not simply a reflection of his extensive research on colors, but were so much more than his artistic finesse. His paintings became an evocative source that left spectators speechless with their emotional intensity.
The fact that hues can bring an instant change in mood was not alien to him, and he made good use of them in his paintings.
Myths Surrounding the ‘Starry Night’ Painter
Van Gogh was not an outsider to the art world as many might think. From a young age, he was associated with the art trade and eventually enrolled in classes to learn art. Although he dropped out, his connection with art became more intimate in the later years.
It is wrong to estimate that Vincent lashed colors on the canvas out of frenzy. His creatives were well-planned and methodical, mostly inspired by peer artists.
Vincent Van Gogh had certain friendships that didn’t last, but he was not a cold personality. He had several close friends who remained loyal to him in his final days, including Emile Bernard, who was 15 years younger than him.
The painter might have been poor while he was a preacher at Borinage, but as he set out as an artist, his brother Theo supported him financially.
Labeling Van Gogh as “mad” would be inappropriate given he was sane most of the time. A lack of diagnosis of his mental health prevents researchers from making any conclusive statement.
“Wheatfield with Crows” is widely considered to be his final artwork, but it is also likely that “Tree Roots” or “Farms near Auvers” are his final works.
In modern times, people consider his death to be murder, but his friends and key figures have ample reason to believe that he shot himself.
It is a myth that Van Gogh was posthumously successful, as during the final years of his life, his paintings were exhibited in Paris and Brussels, earning him ample recognition.
Why is Van Gogh Still Loved and Remembered by all?
Although we can't definitively say that his mental conditions influenced his drawings, we acknowledge that his artworks were profound expressions or feelings manifested on canvas. The biography of Vincent Van Gogh and his quotes in particular stir empathy in us.
No doubt, his paintings are a legacy left behind by an artist who was passionate about using contrasting colors and bold brushstrokes. We not only witness his paintings but also can read the story behind them and the feeling they carry.
The narratives only help us connect more powerfully with his paintings. To make sure that his work endures beyond his lifetime, his brother Theo and sister-in-law Johanna played a central role.
Theo supported him financially, and after his passing away, Johanna ensured that Van Gogh’s contributions, both in sketches and letters, continue to influence people worldwide.
So, apart from his artistic genius, his family preserved his legacy, helping us love and remember Van Gogh in this modern age. His struggle with his mental health was colossal, but his courage and resilience in the face of adversity also shine in his paintings.
His works only deepen our realization that we are privileged enough to live a life free from mental afflictions, and when the path forward is unclear, we can still show up and fight against the odds.
Van Gogh is an inspiration and true inspiration never fades away, as they are immortalized in artistic storytelling, influencing creators across borders, and beyond time.
Van Gogh’s most famous paintings are everywhere, as they continue to be an ongoing trend today. Overall, estimating that his story and our empathy for him only make him popular is an understatement, as his genius and power of expression are unrivalled.
The story of Van Gogh’s life only reinforces what the paintings reveal - emotional depth, aesthetics and his relentless persistence amidst struggles. His extensive research in colors speaks for itself in his paintings, and his belief that colors can move generations beyond time with their intensity has become more apparent today.
Van Gogh Quotes
“I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream.”
“I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.”
“Art is to console those who are broken by life.”
“That there are colors that make each other shine, that make a couple, complete each other like man and wife.”
“I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.”
“Just as we take the train to go to Tarascon or Rouen, we take death to go to a star.”
Bottom line
Van Gogh’s life was fraught with challenges, and although there is no specific terminology to define his mental illnesses, researchers have throughout tried to figure out if his mental state inspired his emotionally rich and resonant paintings.
Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings slowly evolved from muted colors to bold styles under the influence of the painters of his time, and his artistic genius is celebrated globally even today. Coming across his life and the intense vibrancy of his artworks connects us profoundly to them.
Although his life was slowly nearing its tragic end, his genius, coupled with his passion and the support from loved ones, kept him going. Overall, his vulnerability, grit and intensity of his character made him and his paintings timeless across generations.
