Vincent van Gogh: A Turbulent Life of Art and Struggle
Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, in the Dutch village of Zundert. He was a quiet and introverted youth who spent most of his time in the countryside. At 16, he began working at an art dealership, where he developed a passion for art and a deep appreciation for the works of Rembrandt, Bronzino, and Jean-François Millet.
Van Gogh’s life was marked by struggles with mental health, poverty, and personal relationships. He was dismissed from his job at the art dealership and later failed to become a minister. He then turned to art, studying drawing at the Brussels Academy and later moving to the Netherlands to become a full-time artist.
In 1885, Van Gogh moved to Antwerp, Belgium, where he enrolled in the Antwerp Academy. However, he soon became disillusioned with the lessons and found inspiration in the works of the Impressionists and Japanese prints. His health suffered due to his poor diet and excessive drinking, leading to the loss of several teeth.
In 1888, Van Gogh moved to Arles, France, where he hoped to establish an artistic community. He was joined by Paul Gauguin, but their relationship was tumultuous, and Van Gogh’s mental health began to deteriorate. The famous incident in which Van Gogh cut off part of his ear occurred during this time, although the exact circumstances are still disputed.
Van Gogh was hospitalized and later institutionalized in the St. Remy de Province Asylum, where he continued to paint. He produced some of his most famous works, including “The Starry Night” and “Souvenirs of Holland.” Despite his struggles, Van Gogh remained devoted to his art, but he eventually took his own life on July 29, 1890, at the age of 37.
Van Gogh’s legacy as an artist was not recognized until after his death. His sister Anna was able to sell one of his paintings in 1909, which helped to support their younger sister Wilhelmina, who struggled with mental health issues. Today, Van Gogh is considered one of the greatest post-impressionist painters, and his work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Introverted | Shy and reserved, preferring to spend time alone or in small groups. | Vincent van Gogh was a quiet and introverted youth who spent most of his time in the countryside. |
| Impressionist | An art movement characterized by a focus on capturing the fleeting moments of modern life and emphasizing light and color. | Van Gogh found inspiration in the works of the Impressionists and Japanese prints. |
| Post-Impressionist | An art movement that emerged in the late 19th century, characterized by a focus on distortion, exaggeration, and primitivism. | Today, Van Gogh is considered one of the greatest post-impressionist painters. |
| Tumultuous | Characterized by turmoil, conflict, or violence. | Van Gogh’s relationship with Paul Gauguin was tumultuous, and his mental health began to deteriorate. |
| Institutionalized | Confined to a hospital or other institution, often for mental health treatment. | Van Gogh was institutionalized in the St. Remy de Province Asylum, where he continued to paint. |
| Legacy | A person’s impact or influence on the world after they have died. | Van Gogh’s legacy as an artist was not recognized until after his death. |
| Devoted | Completely committed or dedicated to something. | Despite his struggles, Van Gogh remained devoted to his art. |
| Captivate | To attract and hold someone’s attention or interest. | Van Gogh’s work continues to captivate audiences around the world. |
| Deteriorate | To become weaker or less effective over time. | Van Gogh’s mental health began to deteriorate during his time in Arles. |
| Disillusioned | To lose faith or confidence in something. | Van Gogh soon became disillusioned with the lessons at the Antwerp Academy. |
Vincent van Gogh Vocabulary Quiz
Test your knowledge of vocabulary related to the life and struggles of Vincent van Gogh.
Answer Key:
1. B) Preferring to be alone and quiet
2. B) Losing faith or confidence in something
3. B) Marked by violent or uncontrolled emotions
4. B) To become weaker or less healthy
5. A) Something left behind after death
The Past Perfect Tense: Expressing Completed Actions Before Another Action in the Past
| The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is formed using the auxiliary verb “had” + the past participle of the main verb. For example: “He had developed a passion for art before he turned to art.” This sentence indicates that the action of developing a passion for art was completed before the action of turning to art. |
|---|
Quiz Time!
Choose the correct answer for each question.
1. By the time Van Gogh moved to Arles, he ____________________ his job at the art dealership.
A) had been dismissed from
B) was dismissing from
C) had dismissed from
D) was dismissed from
2. Van Gogh ____________________ his passion for art before he began working at the art dealership.
A) had developed
B) was developing
C) develops
D) develop
3. By the time Van Gogh was hospitalized, he ____________________ several teeth due to his poor diet and excessive drinking.
A) had lost
B) was losing
C) lost
D) was lost
4. Van Gogh’s sister Anna ____________________ one of his paintings in 1909, which helped to support their younger sister Wilhelmina.
A) had sold
B) was selling
C) sold
D) was sold
5. By the time Van Gogh died, he ____________________ some of his most famous works, including “The Starry Night” and “Souvenirs of Holland.”
A) had produced
B) was producing
C) produced
D) was produced
Answer Key
1. A) had been dismissed from
2. A) had developed
3. A) had lost
4. C) sold
5. A) had produced
