Vincent Van Gogh

We know Vincent Van Gogh as one the most famous Dutch painters for the 19th century but surprisingly, during his short life he sold very few of his works. He started as an art dealer, but after battling with depression, he turned to religion and became a missionary in Belgium. Van Gogh only took to painting professionally in 1881 when he returned to the Netherlands. He continued to struggle with depression and was considered unstable and a failure as an artist. It was only after his death at the age of 37 that he became a commercial success. Van Gogh is now considered a misunderstood genius and a stereotype of the tortured artist. He completed the majority of his works during the last 2 years of his life, they are vivid and dramatic, and his expressive brushwork brings life and movement to his artwork. Van Gogh’s work is still popular to this day and are still some of the most expensive artworks ever to be sold.