Dutch Post-Impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), perhaps the most famous artist in the world, is perceived by many as the ‘mad’ artist, the man who painted in a frenzy or simply the tormented soul who cuts off his ear.

He had a unique influence on modern art thanks to his distinctive brush strokes and characteristic methods. A self-taught artist, the Dutch painter’s use of color made him stand out from other artists of his time.”The Starry Night” probably is van Gogh’s most famous painting.

His early works, mostly still lifes and depictions of peasant laborers, contain few signs of the vivid color that distinguished his later work. In 1886, Vincent van Gogh moved to Paris, where he met members of the avant-garde, including Émile Bernard and Paul Gauguin, who were reacting against the Impressionist sensibility.

As van Gogh’s work developed he created a new approach to still lifes and local landscapes. His paintings grew brighter in color as he developed a style that became fully realized during his stay in Arles in the south of France in 1888. During this period he broadened his subject matter to include a series of olive trees, wheat fields, and sunflowers

Vincent van Gogh suffered from psychotic episodes and delusions and though he worried about his mental stability, he often neglected his physical health, did not eat properly, and drank heavily. His friendship with Gauguin ended after a confrontation with a razor when in a rage, he severed part of his own left ear

Van Gogh was unsuccessful during his lifetime, and was considered a madman and a failure. He became famous after his suicide, and exists in the public imagination as the quintessential misunderstood genius, the artist “where discourses on madness and creativity converge”. Vincent van Gogh’s reputation began to grow in the early 20th century as elements of his painting style came to be incorporated by the Fauves and German Expressionists. Source: Wikipedia.