Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), perhaps the most famous artist in the world, perceived by many as the 'mad' creator, one who used to paint in frenzy or simply the tormented soul who cuts off his ear. The striking colour, emphatic brushwork, and contoured forms of his work powerfully influenced and shaped the school of Expressionism in modern art. A genius rejected by all, sought solace in nature and tried to capture the beauty of it. All the while growing weary and sickened of his failures, he became unstable and committed suicide. Van Gogh’s art became astoundingly popular in the late 20th century, when his works were sold for record-breaking sums at auctions around the world and made the exhibitions, which contained them, blockbusters.