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Historians are dubious about the reasons why he did not stick with these occupations. We are lucky today, though, that his initial life plans were foiled for whatever reason, because he became a remarkable artist. As a painter he initially only used darker colors and abstained from brighter ones.

But after he discovered Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism while in Paris, he became attached to the brighter colors and painting style. He would later develop this into his own unique style, which he fully developed while living in Arles, France.

Van Gogh grew up with his father, who was a minister of a church, his mom, two brothers, and three sisters. Unlike many children who might act in a despicable or subversive way, he was very quiet and contemplative as a child. This was mistaken as him being indifferent. This label, however, did not agitate or end up corrupting Van Gogh.

Some of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings include Portrait of Dr. Gachet, Still Life: Vase with Twelve Sunflowers, and The Starry Night. Although you may not recognize the names, you probably would recognize the paintings if they were shown to you. It would be surprising if you did not recognize at least some of them.

Perhaps the most important person in Van Gogh’s life was his brother, Theodorus, who constantly and unselfishly provided Vincent with financial support, keeping Van Gogh from spiraling down into a state of complete destruction. Although this indirect intervening did not completely eradicate Van Gogh’s suffering, it quelled it significantly.

Their lifelong friendship is evidenced through an abundance of letters they exchanged with each other. Their relationship provided Van Gogh with at least something of an escape from his mind, which was his nemesis.

Van Gogh produced more than 2,000 pieces of art during the last ten years of his life. He was a pioneer of what came to be known as Expressionism and had a tremendous influence on 20th century art. Most of his best-known works were created in the last two years of his life, during which time he was so distraught over the failure of his friendship with fellow artist Paul Gauguin that he sliced off part of his own left ear.

Gauguin was more of a friend than a sinister adversary, but his decision to repel Van Gogh’s friendship proved treacherous and turned Van Gogh’s depression into a predator of his mind.

Unfortunately, Van Gogh had endured too much and was never able to successfully confront the depression that besieged him. He was unable to vanquish the demons inside him that eventually subdued him. In 1890 acting as his own assailant, he did an abominable thing and took his own life.