VAN GOGH

No.2 - VINCENT van GOGH 1853-90

Self-Portrait

Van Gogh was one of the most famous artists in the history of Western art. His work includes landscapes, still lifes, portraits and many self-portraits; over 600 of his oil paintings were created in the last two years of his life. He had to cope with mental illness and poverty and in the end he committed suicide.

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A SUBURB OF PARIS

1887 Oil on Canvas 38 x 46 cm

While the artist was living with his brother Theo, he produced a number of paintings in the outskirts of Paris.

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CHURCH AT AUVERS-SUR-OISE, VIEW FROM THE CHEVET

1890 Oil on Canvas 93 x 74.5 cm

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FLOWERING PLUM ORCHARD (after Hiroshige)

1887 Oil on Canvas 55 x 46 cm

For a while van Gogh had a great interest in all things Japanese and this is reflected in some of his paintings. Hiroshige 1797-1858  was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist  who was considered the last great master of that tradition.

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VAN GOGH'S BEDROOM IN ARLES

1889 Oil on Canvas 570 x 740 mm

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STARRY NIGHT OVER THE RHONE

1888 Oil on Canvas 720 x 920 mm

In February 1888 van Gogh wrote to Theo, "I need a starry night with cypresses or perhaps above a field of ripe wheat; there are some really beautiful nights here." After painting Starry Night Over the Rhone, he confessed  to his brother that he had a "tremendous need for, shall I say the word - religion - so I go outside at night to paint the stars."

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NEXT  SATURDAY - TITIAN

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