Vincent van Gogh is now one of the most renowned painters in history, with his works being highly sought after by museums and art collectors. However, during his lifetime, he suffered from extreme poverty, selling only one painting. This lack of recognition, coupled with his mental health issues, led him into depression, ultimately resulting in his tragic suicide. Despite these challenges, van Gogh’s art became his true calling, which he pursued with great passion.
Before he became an artist, van Gogh was a deeply religious man who aspired to become a priest. However, after serving as a missionary in Belgium, he discovered his true calling was in art. He drew inspiration from the simple and rustic lives of the people and landscapes that surrounded him. His art, however, did not align with the expectations of people in his time, which led to a lack of recognition, restlessness, and unfulfillment.
Van Gogh’s mental health issues were visible early on. He was known to indulge in alcohol, slept with prostitutes, and suffered from anxiety, neurosis, paranoia, and mania, which ultimately led him to cut off his own ear. Even one of his doctors believed that his obsession with painting was a significant factor in his deteriorating mental health. However, van Gogh’s unique style, which incorporated rough texture, vibrant colors, and nervous brush movements, reflected the nature of his uneasy character.
Despite his mental health struggles, van Gogh continued to create art, painting series on subjects such as cypress trees, fields, and empty chairs. His art, at times, can be seen as a cry for help, and also as a way to conquer his own mind and adapt to the pain of being misunderstood and rejected. Ultimately, despite his prolific output, van Gogh’s mental health deteriorated to the point where even art could not save him, and he tragically took his own life.
