Genius and madness (1853 - 1890)

His emotional state was getting worse rapidly and different habitations in the hospitals of Arles and Saint Remy were neccessary in 1889. Due to his confused state of mind he attacked his close friend Gauguin, who visited him in Arles. This was the break up between the two painters. After this conflict Van Gogh was cutting off his ear. Finally he went to doctor Gachet who lived in Auvers-sur-Oise near Paris and was also painter and a friend of the Impressionists. On the 27th of July 1890 Van Gogh commited a suicide attempt with a revolver and died two days later.

During his residence in the Provence Van Gogh developed a painting style which was dominated by illuminating and expressive colours. This style had nearly nothing in common with the impressionism he came across in Paris. Gogh was one of the originators of expressionism and fauvism - next to Gauguin, Cézanne and Munch. Living in poverty and with the financial aid of his brother all his life, Van Gogh's paintings became very popular today. They realise prices amounting to millions during auctions.

© Hardy Schulz, Hamburg