The Hidden Life of Vincent Van Gogh: Beyond the Canvas

Vincent Van Gogh is known as a visionary Dutch painter. But his life was full of surprises beyond his famous paintings. Let's explore the man behind the masterpieces through some overlooked details...

His Brief but Impactful Artistic Career

Van Gogh painted for just ten years, starting at the age of 27 until his death a decade later. Yet, he created over 2,100 artistic works in that time, including around 900 oil paintings. He painted fast – at one point, he was creating a painting a day.

It’s a common misconception that Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime. In fact, he may have sold several more. His family – including his uncle and brother – supported him with commissions and sales, and he often traded his work with other artists for food or painting supplies. (source: Van Gogh Museum)

 

The Myths of the Ear Incident Unveiled

Ask anyone what they know about Van Gogh, and they’ll likely mention the ear incident – ‘he cut his ear off’. But did he?

Historians and art fans alike debate the details. All agree that Van Gogh experienced a mental health crisis, but there are several different theories as to what really happened. They include…

The theories –

1.      Van Gogh cut his ear off following an argument with friend and artist Gauguin 

2.      He only cut part of his ear off following the argument (not his entire ear, as often claimed)

3.      He didn’t cut off his ear at all – during his mental health crisis, he attacked Gauguin, a proficient fencer, who defended himself. The two men then agreed to hide the truth to protect Gauguin’s reputation.

Different academics claim evidence for all three theories. We'll likely never know the truth!

Van Gogh was taken to an asylum shortly after this incident which is where he painted one of his most famous works, Starry Night. It was based on the view from his asylum window.

His Lesser-Known Occupations Before Painting

Before becoming an artist, van Gogh had several other roles:

• Art dealer at Goupil & Cie, where he critiqued works he’d later rebel against

• Teacher in England, sparking his love for literature and human stories

• Bookseller and missionary, experiences that fuelled his empathy for labourers and peasants

  
  

These diverse careers show how his early life as a Dutch painter's predecessor informed his later focus on raw emotion and everyday subjects.

Surprising Techniques Behind Van Gogh's Masterpieces

Van Gogh was a true innovator in the post-impressionism movement. His techniques changed how classic art was made, showing that genius can come from both precision and passion. He used...

• Impasto magic: He used thick paint, straight from the tube, to create textured layers. This bold style became his mark, standing out from the smooth finishes of classic art.

• He combined this with bold sweeping brush strokes that move you around the painting. Such as the swirls of sky and stars in Starry Night.

• Added to this were dark outlines to accentuate objects.

• He also made use of pointillism albeit sparingly, using tiny dots of colour to convey a subject.

• Homemade tools: He made a simple wooden frame to use as a perspective tool. It helped him map landscapes like a photographer, blending method with creativity.

Van Gogh's mix of tradition and rebellion defined post-impressionism. His thick strokes and quick work broke rules but still respected classic art's roots. These secrets show how he balanced discipline with spontaneity, inspiring modern artists.

Rapid bursts: Many works, like The Starry Night, were painted in just one day. He captured fleeting emotions while in jail, using barred windows as his studio.

The Colourful Truth: Van Gogh's Palette Secrets

Van Gogh is synonymous with colour – rich blues, striking reds, vivid greens and bright yellows, in particular.

So, it’s surprising that his early work featured more greys and browns, a restrained colour palate that made everything seem a little bit sadder. His early sketches depict dull, sombre scenes of peasant life, far from the vibrant skies we love today.

His 1885 piece, The Potato Eaters, shocked critics with its muddy tones and grim realism. This pushed him to explore brighter colours.

His use of yellows, one of his iconic colour choices, may have been driven by more than just a liking for the colour. Art historians theorise that Van Gogh may have ‘seen’ more yellows in his eyesight, known as ‘yellow vision’ – possibly as a result of over treatment of digitalis, a treatment for mental health issues at the time. Toxic levels cause inflammation in the eyes.  

Why His Yellows Are Fading with Time

His sunflowers series, once shining gold, now appear less vibrant. Scientists found the reason: unstable chrome yellow pigment.

This cheap choice faded over time, turning brown. Today, experts argue whether to restore these pieces to their original glow or accept their aged look.

Editor’s Note: This is one reason why I use digitally enhanced and restored reproductions of Van Gogh’s original paintings on my products – helping you to appreciate his work as it was meant to be seen.

His Unconventional Approach to Colour Theory

Van Gogh, self-taught, broke with traditional colour rules. He combined crimson with green and layered colours for depth. His limited funds made him creative: sunflowers’ yellows were his cheapest option. This need led to his unique style, proving scarcity can spark innovation.

Van Gogh's Japanese-inspired art

Van Gogh created bold, flat landscapes like Cherry Blossoms... without ever visiting Japan. He was inspired by vintage art prints flooding Europe, which he loved to collect. He blended their inspiration with his unique style.

Many of his paintings were almost lost.

During his mental health struggles, Van Gogh tried to burn his asylum works. He saved only a few. These paintings show his endless experimentation, proving his genius went beyond fame.

The Enduring Legacy: How Van Gogh Continues to Inspire Today

Van Gogh's story is a testament to success after death. His Sunflowers are now among the most valuable classic art pieces. The National Gallery estimates the paintings at £72.5m.  

Van Gogh's name is now in classrooms, pop culture, and research. His journey from unknown to global icon shows that genius can outlast its creator.

Now you can own your own little slice of Van Gogh genius with my quality reproductions, featured here on my mirrors, passport covers, sunglasses cases and more...