After failing in both his career and love life, he turned inward and joined the ministry. In 1880, disenchanted with the priesthood, he discovered art as his new mission. Then after a trip to Paris in 1886, van Gogh discovered the Impressionists and Japanese prints which led to a transformation in his style. He went from darkly colored realism to vibrant expressionism. Van Gogh is the rarest of the rare in that it seems he never created an unsuccessful or mediocre image.

Contrary to common belief van Gogh did:

• sell a few paintings during his lifetime
• owned a distinguished collection of paintings
• was forged in his own lifetime
• had a number of students
• accidentally fell against a shotgun and then was mistreated by Dr. Gachet

van Gogh Links