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While Vincent Van Gogh's Irises bring out a variety of ingenious techniques, the emotional content from within is obviously solemn. After entering an asylum in Saint-Rémy, France, Mr. Van Gogh chose to work on these Irises within the first week of his stay.

Our hand-painted reproduction in oil on canvas of Van Gogh's 'Irises'.

Vincent Van Gogh created this drowning with sorrow painting from the asylum's garden. This creation is not a cry of emphatic pain. Yet, an inner disappointment seems to enrapture this wonderful man. How could it not? A bright and shining enthusiasm from the genius was dashed by people who could not see his wonderful vision.

This ability to create beauty for others would have worked if he were surrounded by likeminded, enthusiastic personalities. Sadly, in this world, there never seems to be enough kind people around for such incredible people.

It is said that after viewing Van Gogh’s Irises at an exhibition, Monet said: “Did a man who loved flowers and light to such an extent, and who rendered them so well, how, then did he still manage to be so unhappy?”

Being at peace in the asylum.

Being able to create in peace at the asylum kept Mr. Van Gogh from drowning in loneliness. As time passed, he was slowly able to work on his technique without constant distraction.

Interesting enough that the other patients and staff did not interfere with this creative genius. Yet, in the so-called "normal" world, his artistic life was met with constant pain and disturbance. Vincent was able to paint almost 130 creations in the asylum.

Inspired by Japanese Art, Vincent Van Gogh was able to blend in his inner emotional disappointment with some hopeful colors around the painting. How could it be that Mr. Van Gogh would only bring out a sad atmosphere? That is not our wonderful Vincent.

He always finds an ability to show us, somewhere, that there will be hope within a sad and depressed state. This is what completely sets this genius apart from so many. A person has the strength to pass through the bad and bring beauty to the world.

Author: Arshak Andriasov  

Can you imagine how wonderful it must feel to know that anyone in the world could stand in the very spot that Vincent Van Gogh was creating this painting? So many enlightening conversations must have taken place in this coffee house.
  Hand-painted reproduction in oil on canvas of Van Gogh's Cafe Terrace at Night.

Painted in 1888, the Café Terrace at Night was one of his first set of creations done in Arles. The café still exists, but under the name Café van Gogh. A wonderful gesture done to help bring an imaginative painting into a reality of everyday life.

Vincent’s excited inspiration was in full bloom.

The flurry with which Mr. Van Gogh created this composition was in a major contrast with the seemingly nocturnal setting. Van Gogh wrote to his sister: "Here you have a night painting without black, with nothing but beautiful blue and violet and green and in this surrounding the illuminated area colors itself sulfur pale yellow and citron green. It amuses me enormously to paint the night right on the spot."

These words seem to pop out like his artwork. Look at the way Mr. Van Gogh emphasized various specific areas. His technique and creative genius makes you focus on the bright lights. A deceptive mechanism to steer us away from focusing on the people outside the cafe.

The yellow and orange colors can shine loudly, making you look past one of the reasons why I include this in Van Gogh’s most amazing creations. It is the people that should be focused on here. You definitely see how calmly they walk. Those sitting are in a strong posture. A nice contrast between the two.

Preparing for The Starry Night?

Look at the wonderful sky. One cannot look at this specific spot and not feel that Mr. Van Gogh was preparing something wonderful in his mind. “When I have a terrible need for religion, I go outside and paint the stars,” wrote Vincent. Having his famous stars shine at night, he elevates this beauty to the heavens.

Author: Arshak Andriasov  

Probably the most famous painting created by Vincent Van Gogh, The Starry Night is a dimmed view from the window of his asylum room.

Due to the consistent emotional torment from people, Van Gogh checked himself into Saint-Paul Asylum, where nature brought him inspiration to create again.

The Starry Night Not A Failure.

Painted in 1889, Mr. Van Gogh called The Starry Night a failure, writing to his brother Theo: "All in all the only things I consider a little good in it are the Wheatfield, the Mountain, the Orchard, the Olive trees with the blue hills and the Portrait and the Entrance to the quarry, and the rest says nothing to me.”
 

Hand-painted reproduction in oil on canvas of Van Gogh's Starry Night

Sadly, Theo did not try to dissuade his opinion: “I clearly sense what preoccupies you in the new canvases like the village in the moonlight… but I feel that the search for style takes away the real sentiment of things.”

How lucky we are that Vincent did not destroy this altruistic creation.

Even though Vincent Van Gogh was self deprecating about this piece, he created many sketches to carve out a general plan. While this painting depicts a seemingly tranquil night, everything from top to bottom pulsates with brim energy.

An incredible effect of the circular wind, combined with the general ascension from lower left to right, makes this a geometrical masterpiece. The artistic and intellectual element, though, is not forgotten.

Death to reach the star.

While most people focus on the stars that are ever so bright, the cypress tree seems to make the biggest impression on me. Without an understanding of their symbolic importance, one will never see the true magic in the Starry Night. The cypress tree is commonly associated with death. At first glance, these trees look like a smoky, burned fire ready to ravage a town.

But after reading a quote by Vincent Van Gogh, you realize that even in a sad occurrence like death, his magical optimism and altruistic creation will shine through. "Looking at the stars always makes me dream. Why, I ask myself, shouldn’t the shining dots of the sky be as accessible as the black dots on the map of France? Just as we take the train to get to Tarascon or Rouen, we take death to reach a star.”

Author: Arshak Andriasov

You may also like: Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh  

Painted in 1888, Vincent Van Gogh delivers a heightened sense of inner vibrancy within his Willows at Sunset. The ability to create an energetic impact, while also being able to have a sense of subdued harmony, makes Mr. Van Gogh a true genius.
 

Hand-painted replica of Willows at Sunset.

If you notice closely, Vincent Van Gogh employs the brushstrokes in a mostly vertical style. The sun, which is clearly revered in this painting, does not participate in this artistic technique.

Bringing darker tones from the ground towards a bright sun has deep meaning. One can interpret the Willows at Sunset as a person's journey through life. While a meandering darkness prevails from the ground, Mr. Van Gogh interweaves our joys through lighter colors in between. A sense of hope for a brighter ascension towards the sky ultimately decides this miraculous composition, but with his trademark hint of dark stems trying to cover the sun.

A sublime bright light of hope.

The trees depicted here look a bit sinister, as if they represent every person's mid-life crises, enforcing a blow towards a person through negativity. Vividly striking this attack towards the human heart through vertical means, a blue river horizontally passes through calmly. This water bridges a gap between the rigorous uneasiness of life with the sublime bright light of hope.

Vincent Van Gogh's palette is blatantly ferocious in this painting. He had an ability to create works in a short period of time, like a bolt of lightning. There is nothing more needed to be painted in the Willows at Sunset. A truly powerful example of a work that will leave a mark.

While most people thought Vincent Van Gogh's isolation was a mark of insanity, the true artists of all kind understand how much time is needed to create something worthwhile. Being able to work on a project for humankind is a gift. This treasure was done for them and inside these gems are a whole world explained. One can study Willows at Sunset forever. While the painting stays the same, hopefully we grow as individuals, being able to find some new mysterious opening within this masterpiece.

Author: Arshak Andriasov  

Van Gogh’s life and paintings have always been a mystery. One of the most puzzling questions about him is if he is right handed or left handed.

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most well-known post-impressionist painters in the 19th century whose work is notable for its color, emotion, and beauty. Being the son of a pastor, it took a few years for Van Gogh to realize his talent for art.

All his life, he was highly emotional and struggled a lot with his identity. Even if he sold just a few paintings in his entire lifetime, he is now known as one of the popular artists of all time.
 

Self portrait as an artist.1888.

What does Van Gogh’s self-portrait tell about his left-handedness?

Assuming that Van Gogh used a mirror to paint, after flipping the painting, we can see that he has the palette in the left hand and the brush in the right hand. This theory is the most widely accepted one out there regarding his left-handedness.

It’s also possible that for the sake of the painting, Van Gogh could have rectified the mirrored image to show the world how he painted it. With his left.

Even though this theory seems legitimate, it’s not widely accepted.

What do his clothes say about this?

Studying his self-portrait, we understand that the button on Van Gogh’s coat is on the same side of the palette he holds. In men’s coats made during that time, buttons were always on the right side.

From this we learn that Van Gogh always held the palette in his right hand in real life and not just in the portrait.

Which is Van Gogh’s dominant hand according to the Van Gogh Museum in The Netherlands?

According to the Van Gogh Museum in The Netherlands, Van Gogh was right handed. They also seem to be very certain about it. So here goes their theory — Van Gogh painted two of his self-portraits with the palette in his right hand.

Apparently, he would have used the mirror to do so. So flipping the image, we now understand that he’s holding the palette in the left hand, with his brush in the right hand.

What are the other theories that give us an idea whether he is left handed or not?

Before getting into one of the popular theories that contradict the fact that he was left-handed, we need to go back to the day he cut his ear. We all know that Van Gogh cut off his left ear and presented it to a prostitute (Yes, you read correct!).

If he was left handed, it is very likely that he must have used his left hand to hold tools like a knife, but it is highly unlikely that a left handed person would cut his left ear with his left hand. So Van Gogh, according to this theory, is right handed.

Is Van Gogh left handed?

Perhaps we can come to a conclusion that Van Gogh is indeed right handed and not left handed as indicated by some theories. However, the topic still continues to draw a lot of curiosity and interest by Van Gogh fans across the world.  

There are numerous paintings that have been drifting from one gallery to another and each of them is synonymous with Vincent Van Gogh’s name and techniques. The artist is one of the most famous post-impressionist painters of the 19th century. 

Even though he lived a very troubled life, his artworks later rose to popularity and wide critical acclaim for his ideas and techniques.

The Sunflower Series

The Sunflower series of Van Gogh is one of the perfect examples of this. Many scholars suggest that Van Gogh became well known around the world, not because of his other paintings, but because of his sunflower series.

One can make a mental connection with the artist once one starts to observe the painting carefully. Van Gogh’s Sunflower series has been duplicated by numerous artists around the world.

However talented the artists may be, the originality and the subtlety of Van Gogh’s techniques were never achieved. We’ve put together some of the most asked questions about Van Gogh’s sunflower paintings.
  One of the versions of Sunflowers (hand-painted reproduction in oil on canvas)

When did Van Gogh paint the Sunflower Series?

Van Gogh painted the Sunflower series between the years of 1887 to 1889.

How many paintings are there in the Sunflower Series?

There are a total 11 paintings in this series.

Where did he paint them?

Van Gogh painted four of the paintings in Paris, and he painted the remaining seven in Arles.

What is the current location of the Paris sunflowers?

All the Paris paintings were created during August to September 1887. The Four Cut Sunflowers are in Otterlo, at the Kroller-Muller Museum. The Two Cut Sunflowers are in Amsterdam, at the Van Gogh Museum. The other Two Cut Sunflowers is in Bern, at the Kunstmuseum and another Two Cut Sunflowers is at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What is the current location of the Arles sunflowers?

One Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers is located in the Sompo Japan Museum of Art in Tokyo, another Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers at the National Gallery of London and another Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

One Vase with Twelve Sunflowers is located in Munich, in the Neue Pinakothek and another Vase with Twelve Sunflowers in the Philadelphia Museum of Art respectively.

Vase With Three Sunflowers is currently in a private collection in the United States. And unfortunately, Vase With Five Sunflowers was destroyed in a fire.
  One of the versions of Sunflowers (hand-painted reproduction in oil on canvas)

Was one Sunflower painting destroyed?

Well, did you know that in among 2000 of Van Gogh’s works, only 6 of them are known to be destroyed?

In 1945, one of Van Gogh’s Arles painting Vase with Five Sunflowers was destroyed by a fire. This happened during the American air attack on Japan during the second World War. It was a part of the private collection of Koyata Yamamoto. Also, it was said that since the painting had a very large frame, it was difficult to take it from the wall during the bombing.

The Sunflower Paintings are indeed one of Van Gogh’s most famous works. Although one of the paintings was unfortunately destroyed, the other Sunflower paintings are indeed well-guarded, in secure places around the world.

Would you like to brighten up your home with one of Van Gogh's Sunflowers?

Check out this page for interior inspiration. You'll see several of our hand-painted replicas perfectly matching with modern homes.  

8 Facts About Van Gogh’s Death That You Should Know

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most famous painters of the 19th century. He is known for his post-impressionist paintings and self-portraits, considered to be masterpieces in art. Van Gogh died from a fatal gunshot wound at the age of 37. But, how did he die?
  Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, 1887 - Vincent Van Gogh.  

When Did Van Gogh Die?

Van Gogh’s death occurred in the early hours of 29th July, 1890.  The time of death was 1:30 AM.

Where Did He Die?

Van Gogh was found in his room at an inn in a village called Auvers-Sur-Oise, in northern France.

Who Found Him With The Gunshot Wound?

On 27th July, Van Gogh left the inn after breakfast and didn’t return by dusk like usual. Arthur Ravoux, the innkeeper and his family,  became worried that he didn’t return.

By nightfall Van Gogh returned clutching his stomach. When asked, he just went up the stairs and to his room. Later that night the innkeeper and his family heard groans from Van Gogh’s room. They went up and found him with a gunshot wound near his heart.

What Did Van Gogh Say When Asked About The Wound?

To the innkeeper, Van Gogh explained that he tried to kill himself. When two policemen came to the inn to question about the wound, Van Gogh replied to them that it was his body and he can do anything with it. He also said that it was his fault alone and not to accuse anyone.

What Is Van Gogh’s Theory About The Wound?

Van Gogh explains that in the night, he went to the wheat field where he was painting recently. In the afternoon, he shot himself with a revolver in the stomach and fainted. But he woke up because of the chilly wind and tried to find the revolver to finish the act. Since he couldn’t, he returned to the inn.

What Are Other Theories That Explain Van Gogh’s Death?

Van Gogh: The Life, A biography published by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith in 2011 has a different explanation for Van Gogh’s death.

Steven Naifeh explains that it was clear that Van Gogh did not enter the wheat field intending to kill himself. He explains that he was accidentally shot by a couple of boys imitating American cowboys. Van Gogh also decided to keep silent about this to protect them and staged it as a suicide. The wound was at an oblique angle and not straight as usually expected in a suicide.

Also, Smith adds that Van Gogh was not looking to die, but when faced with this situation, he embraced it. Van Gogh’s brother Theo was funding his paintings which never really sold. Given his mental condition and how he was being a burden to his brother, he decided to die.

What Did The Innkeeper Do When He Found Van Gogh With The Wound?

The innkeeper immediately called Dr. Gachet, a doctor and Van Gogh’s friend. The innkeeper and his daughter spent the whole night by Van Gogh’s bedside. When Dr. Gachet arrived, he examined and dressed the wound and left immediately. He is noted to have said that it was a hopeless case and that there was nothing that he could do.

The next morning the innkeeper sent a telegram to Van Gogh’s brother Theo asking him to come immediately.

What Happened After Theo Arrived?

Theo arrived on a train in the afternoon. Theo and the innkeeper were watching over Van Gogh when he fell into a coma. He died at 1 O'Clock on the morning of 29th July 1890.

Vincent Van Gogh was buried in Auvers-Sur-Oise in a funeral attended by his brother and close friends. Vincent’s gravestone reads: Ici Repose Van Gogh (1853-1890), translated to “Here lies Van Gogh”

You may also like to read:

• Did Van Gogh kill himself?

5 Answers That Prove Van Gogh Was Not An Impressionist

Impressionism is an art style that rose to popularity among painters in the 1870s and 1880s. It was characterized by the use of thin, small, but visible brush strokes and stress on the accurate depiction of light. The qualities change over time. Impressionist painters painted more realistic scenes and often painted outdoors. Even though many art critics disapproved of this style, it was widely accepted by the public.

Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most well-known painters of the 19th century. But was he an impressionist?

Did Van Gogh Use Short Brush Strokes In His Paintings?

Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear

In one of Van Gogh’s most famous painting, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear,  the painting was originally meant to depict turmoil. The colors were contrasting, but changed over time.

It’s clear that Van Gogh had used long brush strokes that ran vertically. This contradicts the characteristics of an impressionist painting, which requires short brush strokes.

Are The Objects In His Painting Depicted Accurately?

Starry Night is one of Van Gogh’s best artworks. This painting denotes his increasing madness as time passed. It also displays his interest in astronomy. Unlike impressionists who paint objects exactly how they are, Van Gogh used imaginary and real elements in his work.

According to the Griffith Park Observatory, Van Gogh represented the stars and the Moon as exactly like how they were on that day but included spirals and swirls in the painting, clearly imaginary.

Were The Colors In His Painting Applied Side by Side With Little Or No Mixing?

Our hand-painted reproduction of Wheatfield with Cypresses

Mainstream impressionists used colors side by side in their paintings and used little to no mixing. Taking Van Gogh’s Wheatfield with Cypresses into consideration, it’s evident that Van Gogh used different shades of blue for the sky and different shades of yellow for the wheat field.

That makes it clear that he mixed colors in order to get a different but creative image of the sky.

Did He Avoid Using Black Paint? 

Our hand-painted reproduction of Starry Night over the Rhône

The use of black paint is completely avoided in pure impressionism. Dark colors are obtained by mixing complementary colors. In his masterpiece: Starry Night over the Rhône, it's clear that Van Gogh used black paint. In this painting, Van Gogh captures the reflection of the gas lighting in the locality of Arles that fall on the waters of the river Rhône.

This shows the beauty and importance of artificial lighting, rather than the impressionist idea that depicts only the importance and qualities of natural lighting.

Do The Colors Used In His Paintings Differ From The Object Or Scenery?

Our hand-painted reproduction of Vase with 15 Sunflowers

In the painting Vase with 15 Sunflowers, Van Gogh clearly made the painting more vibrant and colorful than the actual image. The color yellow is found to be more bright, vibrant and intense than the actual object.

This painting does have an impressionist view which has accurate depictions, and is an enhanced painting of reality.

From the above, it's clear that Van Gogh was a post-impressionist painter rather than an impressionist painter. Post-impressionism is a characteristic that doesn’t follow any specific method or style. Van Gogh was called by Roger Fry, an art critic, as a “Post-Impressionist” since his styles and methods clearly separate him from other impressionists.

You may also like to read: When was Van Gogh inspired by the impressionists?  

10 Questions About Van Gogh’s Ear Answered

Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most well-known painters in Western Art. Van Gogh was born on 30th March 1853, and killed himself at the age of 37. He’s done almost 860 oil paintings and 2100 artworks over a decade. His artwork included portraits, self-portraits, and landscapes that laid the foundation for modern impressionist art. The most widely debated fact about Van Gogh is his ear.

That’s right - his ear. Well, here’s all you need to know!

Why Did Van Gogh Cut Off His Ear?

This is the first question that comes to mind when Van Gogh is mentioned. There are theories that seem as valid for why he cut off his ear. Some say that he was afraid of losing attention after learning that his brother Theo was going to marry a woman called Jo. German scholars suggested that Van Gogh sliced his ear after getting into a fight with his friend, Paul Gauguin. There are other theories that suggest that he cut his ear to present it to a prostitute named Rachel.

When Did He Cut His Ear?

Based on police reports and hospital records, Van Gogh cut his ear shortly before Christmas on the 23rd of December, 1888.

How Did He Cut Off His Ear?

Van Gogh cut off his ear using a razor blade. Some researchers say that he took the razor and slit his ear instantly.

Did He Cut Off His Entire Ear?

No. Though most people believe that Van Gogh cut off his entire ear, that’s a common misconception. He only severed part of his ear lobe.

Edit: According to the drawing below by Van Gogh's doctor Felix Rey, his ear entire ear was cut off!

And there is more evidence Van Gogh cut off his entire ear, shown in this great documentary by the BBC: The Mystery of Van Gogh's Ear.

What Did He Do With It?

As soon as he cut it off, he bled profusely. Van Gogh wrapped it in a cloth and walked into a nearby brothel. He presented the ear to a worker at the brothel named Rachel and fainted immediately. Later, he woke up, went home, and slept in his bed. The next morning, police found him after being alerted by Rachel.

What Happened After The Police Found Him?

As soon as the police found him, they rushed him to a nearby hospital to get him treated. After recovery, Van Gogh was discharged from the hospital and immediately started working on his “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear”. He created the portrait because he strongly felt that this was an important event in his life.

What Did Paul Gauguin Do When He Learned About This Incident?

Paul Gauguin sent a telegram to Van Gogh’s brother, Theo, asking him to come immediately. After that, he left for Paris and never returned.

Why Does Van Gogh Have A Bandage On His Right Ear?

Van Gogh always used a mirror for his self-portraits. That's why many people make a mistake thinking that he sliced a part of his right ear, instead of his left.

Did His Friend Have Something To Do With It?

German scholars suggest that Van Gogh's friend, Paul Gauguin, sliced Van Gogh’s ear with a sword. The theory states that they got into a fight and Gauguin sliced his ear. They decided not to tell the truth to hide Van Gogh's shame and Gauguin's guilt.

What Letter Did Van Gogh Send To Paul Gauguin After This Incident?

In the first letter, he wrote: “I will keep quiet about this and so will you.”. But after a few years, Paul Gauguin wrote about Van Gogh to another friend saying “ A man with sealed lips, I cannot complain.”

After this incident, Van Gogh got himself admitted into a mental institution in Saint-Remy. It was there he created most of his well-known pieces of art.