Vincent van Gogh: 15 Frequently Asked Questions

Vincent van Gogh revolutionized Western art through his bold use of color, expressive brushwork, and emotional intensity. His paintings like *The Starry Night*, *Sunflowers*, and *Irises* broke away from academic tradition and laid the groundwork for Expressionism and modern art. Despite selling only one painting during his lifetime, his work influenced generations of artists. Van Gogh's ability to channel raw human emotion onto canvas, combined with his distinctive impasto technique, created a visual language that remains instantly recognizable and profoundly moving more than a century later.

In December 1888, Vincent van Gogh severed part of his left ear during a mental health crisis in Arles, France. The incident followed a heated argument with fellow painter Paul Gauguin, who had been living with him at the Yellow House. Van Gogh wrapped the severed ear and reportedly delivered it to a woman at a local establishment. Historians debate whether the act stemmed from acute psychosis, epilepsy, or bipolar disorder. This dramatic episode became one of the most infamous moments in art history and cemented the public narrative of Van Gogh as the tortured artistic genius.

Vincent van Gogh produced approximately 2,100 artworks during his brief career, including around 860 oil paintings and over 1,200 drawings, sketches, and watercolors. Remarkably, most of this output came within just the last ten years of his life, with his most prolific periods occurring in Arles, Saint-Remy, and Auvers-sur-Oise. During his time in Arles alone, he completed over 200 paintings in roughly 15 months. This extraordinary productivity, despite constant financial hardship and deteriorating mental health, speaks to his relentless dedication to art and remains a key factor in his enduring legacy.