Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh, for whom color was the chief symbol of expression, was born in Groot-Zundert, Holland. The son of a pastor, brought up in a religious and cultured atmosphere, Vincent was highly emotional and lacked self-confidence. Between 1860 and 1880, when he finally decided to become an artist, van Gogh had had two unsuitable and unhappy romances and had worked unsuccessfully as a clerk in a bookstore, an art salesman, and a preacher in the Borinage (a dreary mining district in Belgium), where he was dismissed for overzealousness.

In 1870, after completing a sketchy array of education, Van Gogh was employed by the Hague gallery, run by French art dealers Goupil et Cie, at the age of 16. Later in 1873, Goupil transferred Vincent to London then again to Paris by 1875. After this relocation, Gogh lost all desire to become a professional art dealer; instead following in his father's foot steps and devoting his life to the evangelization of the poor seemed more logical.

In 1881, at the age of 27, Vincent moved back in with his parents after completing nine months of further education in Brussels. At home Vincent set to work on teaching himself how to draw. He tested various different techniques and styles along with experimenting with different subject matters. Other areas he worked on mastering were perspective, shading, and anatomy. Many of his earliest pieces were of peasant life, which could be attributed to his work with the miners of Borinage.

The story of Vincent van Gogh's tragic life, filled with mental evils and artistic triumphs , lingers almost becoming that of legend. His work is still astounding millions around the world daily, and though he sold only one painting in his life, his influence on the outcome of art has been amazing and overwhelming. His paintings have reached new records when sold for hundreds of millions of dollars, and his persona has sparked number one hit songs.