Vincent van Gogh

(scituate.k12.ma.us)

The life of Vincent van Gogh is a huge source of inspiration and artistic drive to so many aspiring artists around the world. He went through so many hardships, including mental problems, emotional breakdowns and more, and his art still managed to be beautiful throughout his obstacles. Van Gogh gives hope to all young artists who dream to be something big. Maybe, just maybe, with a little of his inspiration and some natural talent, you can reach out to those hopes and make them a reality.

On March 30, 1853 Anna Cornelia Carpentus Gave Birth to a baby boy named Vincent. Vincent grew up in a small town of Groot-Zundert in Holland. Accompanied by his three sisters, Elizabeth, Anna, and Wil, and his two brothers Theo and Cor, along with his loving mother, Vincent grew into a lovely young man. As an art dealer, Vincent was employed by the Hague gallery in 1870. He lost all interest in becoming an art dealer and later became very intrigued by the lives of peasants. He wanted to know everything about them: where they worked, where they lived, what they ate, everything. After a long while of working with the miners and other peasants he took the advice of his brother Theo and became an artist in order to leave something behind for the world. Little did he know that this was the greatest decision of his life.

Starry Night (arthistoryguide.com)

Vincent, now known as Vincent van Gogh, moved back in with his parents in 1881 after completing nine more months of school at Brussels Academy. In this time he took the first few steps in becoming an artist. He taught himself to draw and he constantly worked on shading, perspective and anatomy. Because of all his practice he soon grew a huge amount of passion for drawing figures. He more specifically liked to draw peasants and could do it very well because of all his time with the miners. Near the end of 1881 van Gogh moved out of his parent’s house once again to take art lessons with his cousin, Anton Mauve. Once he found nothing but a lack of inspiration and models, van Gogh went back to his life of living with his parents. In 1885, van Gogh completed his latest piece, “The Potato Eaters.” This work of art was never appreciated or respected in his lifetime but is now known around the world. Later that year van Gogh enrolled in an academy in Antwerp. There he became inspired by the work of Peter Paul Ruben and many Japanese artists, both of which factored into his art in later years. In the year of 1886 he moved to Paris to live with his brother Theo. All around him, van Gogh saw bright and happy colors. This made him lose the dull boring colors that he had used on many of his earliest pieces such as The Potato Eaters. Also while in Paris he befriended many more artists including Paul Gauguin. Van Gogh moved to Arles in order to form an art school with his new friend. Once Gauguin arrived in Arles, van Gogh began painting, “sunflowers,” to decorate his room. In 1888 van Gogh traveled to Saint-Remy-de-Provence, where he later went to an asylum. “Starry Night,” was created during his time in the asylum and is now by far his most well known piece. However, once he couldn’t sell even this beautiful piece he felt his life to be a tragedy. In an attempt of suicide van Gogh shot himself on July 27, 1890. He died two days later from the wound.

Vincent van Gogh may have not lived the happiest life, but his art bypasses all other artists of his generation. Artists and kids who just like to draw can see him as a role model. Maybe not one in the ways of life, but by the way he threw his emotions into his work. His determination to succeed is what makes him a hero for many people around the globe. Even kids who aren’t very good at drawing or painting can hear about him and become inspired. He didn’t even dream of becoming an artist at first, just like many kids don’t. But learning about him could change that for many of them.

Sure Vincent didn’t live the happiest life ever, but he would probably look back at us now and think he did all right. He would see all of the kids that he inspired to follow their dreams. Even if you aren’t great at something, if you love whatever it is, you can get better. That is why Vincent van Gogh is a hero.