Summary

Vincent van Gogh’s Early Life and Career

Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, in Holland to a Protestant minister’s family. He was expected to follow a strict religious upbringing but struggled to fit in.

Early Struggles and Career

At 16, Vincent worked at his uncle’s art dealership but was forced to leave due to his argumentative nature and mood swings.
He withdrew from society at 23, feeling like a failure, until his brother Theo suggested he become an artist.

Theo’s Influence and Support

Theo, Vincent’s younger brother, played a crucial role in his life and career. Without Theo’s support, love, and patronage, there would be no Vincent van Gogh.

Artistic Development

In 1880, Vincent began to focus on his art, producing dark and somber works in Holland.
In 1886, he moved to Paris to live with Theo, where he developed a lighter and more colorful style.
In 1888, he moved to Arles, seeking a new beginning, but struggled with feelings of being an outsider and emotional baggage.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Protestant	A Christian who belongs to the Protestant denomination, which originated from the Reformation movement in the 16th century.	Vincent van Gogh was born into a Protestant minister’s family.
Patronage	The support or sponsorship of an artist, writer, or other creative person, often financially.	Theo’s patronage played a crucial role in Vincent van Gogh’s artistic career.
Somber	Having a serious, solemn, or gloomy quality, often used to describe art or literature.	Vincent van Gogh’s early works in Holland were characterized by somber tones and themes.
Art Dealership	A business that buys, sells, and exhibits works of art, often representing artists and their interests.	Vincent van Gogh worked at his uncle’s art dealership at the age of 16.
Argumentative	Having a tendency to argue or dispute, often in a confrontational or aggressive manner.	Vincent van Gogh’s argumentative nature led to his departure from his uncle’s art dealership.
Mood Swings	Sudden and intense changes in emotional state, often characterized by shifts between happiness and sadness or irritability.	Vincent van Gogh struggled with mood swings throughout his life, which affected his relationships and career.
Outsider	A person who does not belong to a particular group or community, often feeling isolated or excluded.	Vincent van Gogh felt like an outsider in Arles, struggling to connect with the local community.
Emotional Baggage	Unresolved emotional issues or past traumas that continue to affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.	Vincent van Gogh carried significant emotional baggage, which influenced his art and personal relationships.
Colorful	Having a lot of color or a vibrant and lively quality, often used to describe art or environments.	Vincent van Gogh’s art became more colorful and expressive during his time in Paris.
Patron	A person who supports or sponsors an artist, writer, or other creative person, often financially or through other means.	Theo van Gogh was Vincent’s patron, providing him with financial and emotional support throughout his career.

Watch The Video

Vincent Van Gogh’s Mental Illness and Art

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a person who gives financial support to an artist or creative person’?

A) Minister
B) Artist
C) Patron
D) Dealer

2. What does ‘argumentative’ mean in the context of Vincent van Gogh’s nature?

A) Having a calm and peaceful demeanor
B) Prone to starting and engaging in arguments
C) Having a strict religious upbringing
D) Being a successful artist

3. What is the term for ‘a person who is born into a family and is younger than another’

A) Older brother
B) Younger brother
C) Minister’s son
D) Artist’s apprentice

4. What does ‘somber’ mean in the context of Vincent van Gogh’s early artworks?

A) Bright and colorful
B) Dark and gloomy
C) Light and cheerful
D) Full of life and energy

5. What does ‘patronage’ mean in the context of Theo’s support for Vincent van Gogh?

A) The act of creating art
B) The act of giving financial support and encouragement
C) The act of living in Paris
D) The act of being a minister’s son

Answer Key:

1. C
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Use of the Present Perfect Simple and Past Simple to Describe Life Events

The present perfect simple and past simple are used to describe life events and experiences. The present perfect simple (e.g., has played, have become) is used to talk about an action that started in the past and continues up to the present, or has a connection to the present. On the other hand, the past simple (e.g., was born, worked) is used to describe completed actions in the past with a specific time reference. For example, “Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853” (past simple), and “Theo’s support has played a crucial role in Vincent’s life and career” (present perfect simple). Understanding the difference between these two tenses is essential for describing life events and experiences.

Grammar Quiz:

1. By the time Vincent was 23, he ________ from society due to feeling like a failure.

A) has withdrawn

B) withdraws

C) had withdrawn

D) was withdrawing

2. Vincent van Gogh ________ on March 30, 1853, in Holland.

A) is born

B) was born

C) has been born

D) had been born

3. By 1886, Vincent ________ to Paris to live with his brother Theo.

A) moves

B) has moved

C) had moved

D) was moving

4. Theo’s influence ________ a significant impact on Vincent’s artistic development.

A) has had

B) have had

C) had

D) has having

5. Without Theo’s support, Vincent van Gogh ________ the artist we know today.

A) will not be

B) would not have been

C) is not

D) was not

Answer Key:

1. C) had withdrawn

2. B) was born

3. C) had moved

4. A) has had

5. B) would not have been