15 surprising facts about famous painter Van Gogh

 Van Gogh has always been an enigma since his untimely demise in 1890. Over the years, we have studied his art and discovered surprising facts about this talented painter. Here are 15 of the most intriguing secrets that Van Gogh held close to his heart:

1. Van Gogh was a skilled draftsman; in fact, he once worked for an art gallery run by his uncle. He also created hundreds of sketches while living in Paris between 1886 and 1888.

2. Despite being one of the world’s most famous painters, Van Gogh only sold one painting before he died—The Red Vineyard at Arles (1888).

3. During his lifetime, Van Gogh did not paint with oil paints until 1885; prior to this point he only used watercolors and pencils to create his art.

4. Despite cutting off a part of his own ear, Van Gogh was never diagnosed with mental illness; in fact, he wrote letters to friends that show great intelligence and understanding of the world around him.

5. While living in Paris, Van Gogh lived with his brother Theo—who was also an artist and art dealer—and the two often painted together in the evenings.

6. Van Gogh’s Starry Night (1889) was inspired by a real-life view of his asylum room at Saint-Remy-de-Provence.

7. Though he is most well-known for his post impressionist works, Van Gogh also created pieces in realism, pointillism, and symbolism throughout his career.

8. Not only did van Gogh struggle with mental illness—he also suffered from epilepsy, psychosis, anxiety, depression, and possibly even alcoholism while living in France between 1886 and 1889.

9. Many of Van Gogh’s paintings were inspired by the people and landscapes of his beloved Provence region.

10. Unlike other impressionist works, Van Gogh’s paintings were often created using thick, vibrant colors that made them stand out from the rest.

11. Van Gogh’s best-known painting—The Starry Night—was painted while he was in a mental asylum in 1889; this artwork is now considered to be one of the most recognizable paintings in modern culture.

12. Despite attempting suicide numerous times, Van Gogh lived for 37 years before his death on July 29, 1890; the cause remains unknown to this day.

13. While attending art school in Brussels, Van Gogh was taught by Anton van Rappard, a famous Dutch painter.

14. Van Gogh was friends with the celebrated French artist Paul Gauguin; in fact, the two lived together for nine weeks in 1888 and painted over ten paintings during their partnership.

15. Over 2,000 of Van Gogh’s letters remain to this day—each one providing insight into his life and art.

These 15 secrets help us to better understand the life and works of Van Gogh. His paintings remain an inspiration for artists around the world, showing that creativity knows no bounds.