Vincent van Gogh painted 5 bird’s nests after each other, obsessed by their colorful beauty. Vincent’s fascination for bird’s nests went so far that he started seeing peasant’s cottages as bird's nests. "I now really must go bird’s nesting with a number of variations of these ‘people’s nests’, which remind me so much of the nests of wrens — that’s to say, paint them." Today 137 years ago, on or about 14 July 1885, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Nuenen: "I’ve never seen the little house where Millet lived — but I imagine that these 4 little human nests are of the same kind. One of them is the residence of a gentleman who’s popularly known here as ‘the peasant of Rauwveld’." Cottage with a man coming home...

Vincent van Gogh visited his brother Theo and his wife Jo in Paris on 6 July 1890. He also met art critic Aurier there who had just written a very positive article on Van Gogh’s paintings. Toulouse-Lautrec joined for lunch and the French impressionist Armand Guillaumin was coming to meet Vincent. But it was too much for him. Wasn’t Van Gogh able to connect with the people that surrounded him? Was Vincent in fear not to be accepted? It was in this state of emotional isolation that he arrived in Auvers-sûr-Oise and painted Wheatfield under thunderclouds, expressing extreme loneliness. Today 132 years ago, on about 9 July 1890, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo and Jo from Auvers-sur-Oise: "There – once back here I set to work again – the brush however almost falling from my hands and –...

The Red Vineyard may be the only painting Vincent van Gogh ever sold. Anna Boch bought it in 1890 for 400 francs. In 1909 it was sold to Ivan Morozov, a Russian businessman and member of the rich Morozv dynasty. Morozov's art collection was nationalized after the Bolshevik Revolution and a part of it went to the Pushkin Museum in Moscow where the The Red Vineyard still resides. Today 133 years ago, between 8 July and 12 July 1889, Vincent van Gogh wrote to his mother from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: "But what are beautiful in the south are the vineyards, where they’re on the flat land or the hillsides. I’ve seen it, and come to that sent Theo a painting of it, where a vineyard is all purple, crimson and yellow and green and violet like the Virginia creeper in Holland. I like to see a vineyard as much...

New Van Gogh paintings are not discovered often. In 2013 Sunset at Montmajour was authenticated as a genuine Van Gogh. This was the first time since 1928 that a full size Van Gogh painting was discovered. And it wasn’t actually a discovery. The painting had been dismissed a a real Van Gogh in the 1990s. Today 134 years ago, on 5 July 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Arles: "Yesterday, at sunset, I was on a stony heath where very small, twisted oaks grow, in the background a ruin on the hill, and wheatfields in the valley. It was romantic, it couldn’t be more so, à la Monticelli, the sun was pouring its very yellow rays over the bushes and the ground, absolutely a shower of gold.” Sunset at Montmajour Arles, 1888 Oil on canvas 73,3 cm × 93,3 cm Private collection You...

Vincent van Gogh was very satisfied with his painting of the Harvest at La Crau near Arles. He painted it in one day, except for some adjusting and perfecting afterwards, back in The yellow House. Van Gogh was well prepared to get it done in one go as he made two studies of it with pen and watercolor first. Today 124 years ago, on or about 29 June 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Arles: "It’s like that with the one of which I sent you the drawing, the harvest and the wheat stacks too — it’s true I have to retouch everything to adjust the workmanship a little, to harmonize the brushstrokes, but all the essential work was done in a single long session, and I’ll spare it as much as possible when I go back to it.” One of the drawings that Vincent sent was: The Harvest Arles,...

Vincent van Gogh was aware of his contribution to art in general. Paintings were necessary to help art history go forward, whether created by himself or by other artists. Not only by discussing art with his fellow artists but also by copying art in his own style Van Gogh would help future artists to stand on his shoulders in their turn. Today 134 years ago, on 28 June 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Arles: "Yesterday and today I worked on the sower, which has been completely reworked. The sky is yellow and green, the earth purple and orange. There’s definitely a painting like that to be made of this splendid subject, and I hope it will be done one day, either by someone else or by me.” Sower with setting sun Arles, 1888 Oil on canvas 64,2 x 80,5 cm Kröller-Müller Museum,...

Vincent van Gogh’s famous drawing (1882) and painting (1890) ' At Eternity's Gate ' also called ' Worn Out ' depicting a sorrowful figure struggling through life resonated with Vincent during his life. His money problems and mental problems exhausted him, but also the sun in the South of France could tire him so much that he wasn't able to tell the quality of his paintings anymore. Today 134 years ago, on 27 June 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Emile Bernard from Arles: "The thing is, it’s tiring, the sun down here. I’m also utterly incapable of judging my own work. I can’t see whether the studies are good or bad. I have seven studies of wheatfields, unfortunately all of them nothing but landscapes, much against my will.” Wheatfield with sheaves Arles, 1888...

Vincent van Gogh promised to send the study Sprig of almond blossom in a glass with a book for Willemien’s birthday. She also once owned the painting: Orchard bordered by cypresses. Today 134 years ago, on or about 20 June 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to his sister Willemien from Arles: "A long time ago I meant you to have a painted study, and you shall get it. I’m afraid that by post, even if I pay the postage, they’ll make you pay excess postage, like the flowers from Menton, and this is even bigger — but Theo will certainly send you one, if I don’t think about it, ask him for it.” Orchard bordered by cypresses Arles, 1888 Oil on canvas 32 x 40 cm Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven Promised gift of William L. Bernhard, B.A. 1954, and Catherine G. Cahill You may also...

Like most people who changed the world in their field Vincent van Gogh was hyper-focussed. Not only did he make about 900 paintings, 1100 drawings and write 1000 letters in 10 years time. His thoughts were always about art. All day and every day. Within his focus on painting Van Gogh could easily be distracted. It made him a multitasker who could be working on a painting and a drawing at the same time, whilst writing a letter. Today 134 years ago, on 17 June 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to John Peter Russell from Arles: "Well, instead of continuing the letter I began to draw on the very paper the head of a dirty little girl I saw this afternoon whilst I was painting a view of the river with a greenish yellow sky.” The view of the river he refers to is the painting: The Trinquetaille bridge Arles, 1888 Oil...

Vincent van Gogh’s water color Wheat Stacks was sold at Christie’s in New York in 2021 for a record of 35,85 million USD. Van Gogh’s Portrait of Dr Gachet is the most expensive Van Gogh oil painting ever sold at auction for 83 million USD in 1990. Today 134 years ago, on 16 June 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Arles: "I’ve sent you 3 drawings by post today. The one with the wheat stacks in a farmyard will seem too bizarre to you, but it was done in great haste as a project for a painting, and it’s to show you what it’s like.” The drawing Wheat Stacks served as a study for the painting: Wheat Stacks Arles, 1888 Pen, watercolour 50 x 62 cm Private collection You may also like to read: Who bought Van Gogh's Portait of Dr Gachet? Van...

Vincent van Gogh visited Theo and Jo in Paris once when he lived in Auvers-sûr-Oise; on 6 July 1890. This was not the first time he visited them. Vincent stopped by for a few days when he moved from the South of France to Auvers. This was the first time he met Theo’s wife Jo and his nephew Vincent Willem. From 1886 to 1888 Vincent lived with his brother Theo in Montmartre in Paris, where Theo was an art dealer. Van Gogh's search for warm light and bright colors made him travel to Arles after that. Today 132 years ago, on 10 June 1890, Vincent van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo and his wife Jo from Auvers-sur-Oise: "Dear brother and sister, Sunday has left me a very pleasant memory. In this way we really feel that we’re not so far from one another, and I hope that we’ll see each other again...

Vincent van Gogh painted his famous Starry Night inspired on the view from his bedroom in the asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Several other paintings were also based on his bedroom view, like Mountain Landscape behind the Saint-Paul Hospital. Vincent’s bedroom, of which he made 3 versions, was not his bedroom in Saint-Rémy, but in the Yellow House in Arles where he lived before he moved to the asylum. Today 133 years ago, on 9 June 1889, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: "One is the countryside that I glimpse from the window of my bedroom. In the foreground a field of wheat, ravaged and knocked to the ground after a storm. A boundary wall and beyond, grey foliage of a few olive trees, huts and hills. Finally, at the top of the painting a large white and grey cloud...

Vincent van Gogh was suffering from ‘a dose of the clap’ or Gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted disease. He stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks. Symptoms as described by van Gogh were 'sleeplessness and chronic fever, and pain on passing water.’ Van Gogh wasn’t too worried about it but realized it should not be neglected. Today 140 years ago, on 8 June 1882, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from The Hague: "I resisted as long as I could and carried on working, but in the end I realized I needed to see a doctor urgently. But he told me just this morning that I would soon be rid of it. Did you get the two little drawings?” Fish-drying barn The Hague, 1882 Pen, pencil, heightened with white 28,5 x 45 cm Private collection You may also like to read: How long did Van Gogh stay in...

Although Vincent van Gogh spent just 5 days in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer he made six oil paintings one watercolor and nine drawings. Van Gogh left Arles by stagecoach to travel to the little town on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to recover there from his health. Painting would help him to feel fit again. Today 134 years ago, on 4 June 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: "I’ve brought three canvases and I’ve covered them — two seascapes — a view of the village — and some drawings which I’ll send you by post when I get back to Arles tomorrow.” A view of the village is: View of Saintes-Maries Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, 1888 Oil on canvas 64,2 x 53 cm Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, The Netherlands You may also...

The yellow flower in Vincent van Gogh’s portrait of Dr Gachet is Foxglove. Van Gogh may have been treated for epilepsy with an extract of foxglove, called digitalis. These days we know digitalis doesn’t treat epilepsy, but it does have positive effects on certain heart conditions. Today 132 years ago, on 3 June 1890, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Auvers-sur-Oise: "I’m working on his portrait. The head with a white cap, very fair, very light, the hands also in light carnation, a blue frock coat and a cobalt blue background, leaning on a red table on which are a yellow book and a foxglove plant with purple flowers.” Doctor Gachet Auvers-sur-Oise, 1890 Oil on canvas 66 x 57 cm Private collection You may also like to read: How many times has the Portrait of Dr. Gachet been...

The best way to understand Vincent van Gogh is probably by reading his letters. After all that’s where he wrote extensively how he felt. Unless he didn’t always write how he actually felt. Van Gogh seems very honest when he wrote to his sister Willemien: ‘We need good cheer and happiness, hope and love. The uglier, older, meaner, iller, poorer I get, the more I wish to take my revenge by doing brilliant colour, well arranged, resplendent’. Was Van Gogh not sincere half a year later when he wrote to his brother from the asylum showing a paining with bright colors? Or had the meaning of Van Gogh’s colors changed? Today 133 years ago, between 31 May and 6 June 1889, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: "When you receive the canvases I’ve done in the...

Vincent van Gogh always worked hard, even when tortured by mental problems. In 10 years time he made about 900 paintings and 1100 drawings. Van Gogh was also productive in Auvers-sûr-Oise, where he spent the last months of his life. Today 132 years ago, on 24 May 1890, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo and Jo from Auvers-sur-Oise: "I’ve been very well the past few days, I’m working hard and have four painted studies and two drawings.” One of these paintings is: Thatched Cottages and Houses Auvers-sur-Oise, 1890 Oil on canvas 60 × 73 cm State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg You may also like to read: Was Van Gogh happy before he died? Van Gogh's 'Thatched Cottages and Houses' Your daily dose of Van Gogh. << previous | next >>

These days many of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings in museums are beautifully framed with antique ornate golden frames. They match Van Gogh’s era, give body to the painting, carefully chosen to make the colors and detail of the painting stand out. Van Gogh himself didn’t have the money for those frames. Besides he also liked simple frames for his paintings, consisting of just some plain strips of wood. Today 133 years ago, on 23 May 1889, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Theo from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: "You see that this framing of simple laths does quite well, and a frame like that costs only very little. It would be perhaps good to frame the green and red vineyards, the sower and the furrows and the interior of the bedroom with them too.” The furrows refers to: Ploughed field with a...

The red paint Vincent van Gogh used was often not stable. When the red color disappeared out of purple irises over time blue came up. The same happened with the purple walls of Van Gogh’s bedroom in Arles. Also the yellow colors changed towards a darker brownish yellow. Today 134 years ago, on 22 May 1888, Vincent van Gogh wrote to Emile Bernard from Arles: "They cut the grass while I was painting, so it’s only a study and not a finished painting, which I intended to make of it. But what a subject — eh — that sea of yellow flowers with a line of purple irises, and in the background the neat little town of pretty women.” View of Arles with irises in the foreground Arles, 1888 Oil on canvas 54 x 65 cm Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam You may also like to read: Why did the red...

Vincent van Gogh’s life didn’t end well with the revolver shot in his stomach. Obviously his life was a struggle. But many times he wrote in his letters that he painted with joy and that he was happy to be in nature. Would he lie about this to make his family feel better? That would go against his honesty about his fight against mental problems. Van Gogh was simply happy quite often and appreciated his life chasing his dreams to be a recognized artist. Also during the last months of his life in Auver-sûr-Oise. Today 132 years ago, on or about 20 May 1890, Vincent van Gogh wrote to his sister Willemien from Auvers-sur-Oise: "In the last few days at St-Rémy I worked in a frenzy. Big bouquets of flowers, violet irises, big bouquets of roses. Landscapes.” Couple walking among olive trees...