A Troubled Life Have you ever heard of Vincent van Gogh? He is considered to be one of the most influential Dutch painter of the 1800’s. Even though he only painted in the last ten years of his life, he produced over 2,000 paintings and drawings. Van Gogh was very influential on artists today, having created the foundation for modern art styles. Vincent van Gogh was born March 30, 1853 in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands, Growing up he had only brother. Before he was born, his mother gave birth to the first Vincent van Gogh. He died during labor. His mother was a successful artist in the early years of van Gogh’s life. At the age of 15, his family was struggling financially. He was forced to leave school and be put to work. He got a job at his uncles …show more content…
In the fall of 1880 he moved to Brussels to pursue a life of an artist. His brother, Theo, offered to support him financially. He then moved to Hague and fell in love with Clasina Hoornik. Clasina was an alcoholic prostitute. She later became his companion, mistress and model. Clasina went back to prostitution sometime later and van Gogh became depressed. His family later threatened to cut off his money if he didn’t let go of her and move out of Hague. He left mid-September and lived a nomadic life for the next six weeks. Van Gogh’s art helped him stay emotionally balanced. He started working on what is now considered the first masterpiece in 1885. On July 27,1890, van Gogh went out in the morning as usual to paint. Something was different. He had a loaded pistol! He shot himself in the chest but the initial shot didn't kill him. He was found laying on the floor of his room and was rushed to a nearby hospital! He spent the next day and a half there, then asked his brother, Theo, to take him home. There on July 29, 1890, van Gogh died in the arms of his brother. After his death, his brother named one of his children after van Gogh. Around the same time, Theo also sold his painting “The Red Vineyard” for 400 francs or $419.59. More than 100 years since his death, more of his artwork has been released. His painting, “Irises” sold for $53.9 million and his “Portrait of Dr. Gachet” sold for $82.5 million.