Vincent Van Gogh was a post-Impressionist painter born in 1853 in the Netherlands. He worked as an art dealer in his early life before dedicating himself to painting. Some of his most famous works include The Potato Eaters, Starry Night, sunflower paintings, and Irises. Van Gogh struggled with mental illness throughout his life and died by suicide in 1890 at the age of 37. Although unknown in his lifetime, he is now considered one of the most influential artists in modern art history.

1. The Life and Works of Vincent Van Gogh Presented by Mary Redford

2. Who was Vincent Van Gogh? Vincent Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in Groot-Zundert, Holland. He had a family of eight, with three sisters and two brothers. Van Gogh worked in multiple art galleries in Paris and London starting at age 16. Van Gogh realized selling art was not for him. He then decided to follow his father’s footsteps and become a minister. After being a minister, he finally found his passion for art. ""Self-Portrait" Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/2096/Self-Portrait.html>.

3. His first painting His first painting was The Potato Eaters, 1885. Some people believe that Van Gogh had not yet mastered the techniques and skills of painting for The Potato Eaters. He focused on peasant life and the anatomy of a peasant. The Potato Eaters unfortunately did not become famous in Van Gogh’s lifetime. ""Potato Eaters, The" by Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/453/Potato-Eaters,-The.html>.

4. His mental state Van Gogh’s mental problems did not become apparent until 1888. He suffered from epilepsy, psychotic attacks, and delusions. One serious breakdown occurred when Van Gogh chased his fellow artist friend, Gauguin around with a knife. Van Gogh later cut part of his ear off and gave it to a woman as a gift. He later hospitalized himself in Saint-Remy-de-Provence This picture is given from "Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, C.1889 Print by Vincent Van Gogh at Art.com." Art.com - Posters, Art Prints, and Framed Art Leader. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://www.art.com/products/p10020644-sa-i874082/vincent-van-gogh-selfportrait-with-bandaged-ear-c1889.htm>.

5. While hospitalized… While Van Gogh was hospitalized he created The Starry Night, 1889. Some believe that Van Gogh’s shaky, and swirling technique was his way of showing his own mental state. This technique can be seen in all of Van Gogh’s paintings while he was hospitalized. ""Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/508/Starry-Night.html>.

6. The Starry Night The Starry Night is one of Van Gogh’s most famous pieces of work. Van Gogh allows the viewer to become part of the painting with its It has been replicated multiple times; through songs, clothing and shoes, posters, and individual duplicates of Van Gogh’s masterpiece. This picture given by "Idealism » Blog Archive » Van Gogh on a Watch." Idealism. 26 Mar. 2008. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://seraphe.net/index.php/2008/03/26/van-gogh-on-a-watch/>.

7. More Starry Nights Van Gogh produced two other paintings reflecting The Starry Nights’ techniques. Both Starry Night Over the Rhone (1888) and The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night, or better known as Café Terrace at Night (1888) resemble Van Gogh’s night time scene and wonder from Starry Night. ""Café Terrace on the Place Du Forum, Arles, at Night, The" by Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/53/Café-Terrace-on-the-Place-du-Forum,-Arles,-at-Night,-The.html>. ""Starry Night Over the Rhone" by Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas.” Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/509/Starry-Night-Over-the-Rhone.html>.

8. Sunflowers Van Gogh is known for his sunflower paintings. They were painted between 1888-1889 and mainly in Arles, France. Van Gogh painted them to decorate his friend, Paul Gaugin’s bedroom while the two lived together. ""Still Life: Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers" by Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/586/Still-Life:-Vase-with-Fifteen-Sunflowers.html>. ""Two Cut Sunflowers" by Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/637/Two-Cut-Sunflowers.html>.

9. Irises Van Gogh created works of art while hospitalized in France. Along with Starry Night, Van Gogh created nature studies which have now become world famous paintings. His painting, Irises (1889) is one of the most expensive pieces of art ever. It sold for $54 million in 1987. It is now on display at The Getty Center in Las Angeles, CA. ""Irises" by Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/244/Irises.html>.

10. Drawings Van Gogh drew over 1,000 drawings from 1877 to 1890. He saw drawing as a way to build up technique and skill levels for an artist. He mainly used black, red, and blue chalk, pencil, reed pen, and charcoal for his drawings. ""Cottages with a Woman Working in the Foreground" by Vincent Van Gogh | Drawing | Pencil, Pen." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Drawing/853/Cottages-with-a-Woman-Working-in-the-Foreground.html>.

11. Watercolors Along with drawing, Van Gogh used watercolors as a way to practice his skills as a painter. Van Gogh has created almost 150 watercolors and all have his style of thick bold colors and unique painting techniques. His watercolors have not become as famous as the oil paintings, but they are still a testimate to Van Gogh’s artistic ability ""Bookseller Blok, The" by Vincent Van Gogh | Watercolor | Pencil, Black and White Chalk (washed) and Watercolour on Heavy Wove Paper (torchon).” Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Watercolor/1802/Bookseller-Blok,-The.html>.

12. Lithography Lithography is a way to make prints by using a stone or metal plate. Van Gogh experimented with this form of art and created a set of ten images; nine lithographs and one etching. Many of his lithographs were either originally a drawing or became a drawing or painting later on. ""Workman Sitting on a Basket, Cutting Bread" by Vincent Van Gogh | Graphic | Lithograph." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Graphic/1951/Workman-Sitting-on-a-Basket,-Cutting-Bread.html>.

13. The only painting he sold Van Gogh only sold one painting in his entire life, The Red Vineyard (1888). Even though Van Gogh is seen as a world renowned artists in current culture, he never was never recognized as the artist he truly was during his lifetime. ""Red Vineyard, The" by Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/466/Red-Vineyard,-The.html>.

14. Museums Every continent, excluding Antarctica, has Van Gogh’s works of art on display. The largest Van Gogh exhibit is located in Amsterdam at the Van Gogh Museum where over 200 works of art are housed. 1889, By. "Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Netherlands Art Museums." Amsterdam Hotels - Cheap Hotels in Amsterdam Online Booking. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.hotels-amsterdam-netherlands-hotels.com/van-gogh-museum/>.

15. End of his life Unfortunately Van Gogh attempted suicide on July 27, 1890. He shot himself in the chest, but somehow survived. He died two days after. Although Van Gogh was not considered as an artist during his life, he has become one of the world’s most well known artists. ""Self-Portrait" Vincent Van Gogh | Painting | Oil on Canvas." Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/catalog/Painting/2119/Self-Portrait.html>.

16. Works cited Reid / LLC, Templeton. Vincent Van Gogh Gallery - Welcome! 17 Jan. 2008. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. <http://www.vangoghgallery.com/>. All photographs have been cited above.