Early years: from the Netherlands to the decision to paint
How van Gogh’s early work and life experiences shaped his subjects and discipline.
Read →Vincent van Gogh: life, letters, and the work behind the myth
A concise overview of key periods, recurring themes, and the human story in van Gogh’s paintings and letters. Educational use only — independent and not affiliated with any institution.
Tip: this site is static (no heavy scripts). It’s built for speed and clarity.
Life timeline (high level)
1853
Born in Zundert, the Netherlands.
1870s
Works in art dealing and later explores religious study and teaching.
1880
Commits to becoming an artist; intensive self-education begins.
1886–1888
Paris: exposure to Impressionism and modern color; palette brightens.
1888–1889
Arles: prolific period; experiments with bold outlines and complementary colors.
1889–1890
Saint-Rémy & Auvers-sur-Oise: late works; intense brushwork and emotional atmosphere.
1890
Dies in Auvers-sur-Oise at age 37.
Disclosure: This is an independent educational site about Vincent van Gogh. It is not an official site of any institution.
Image gallery (original illustrations)
These are original SVG illustrations inspired by themes in van Gogh’s work — they are not reproductions of copyrighted images.
Articles
Paris and Arles: color, community, and a radical new style
The shift toward brighter color and the search for artistic collaboration.
Read →Letters: what they reveal about process, money, and meaning
Why the correspondence — especially with Theo — is central to understanding the work.
Read →Brushwork and structure: a practical guide to how the paintings “work”
A plain-English look at composition, line, and color contrasts used across periods.
Read →