From his Eastern inspirations to his close male friendships, discover some lesser-known facts about this world-famous post-impressionist painter.

Vincent van Gogh, born in Groot-Zundert in the Netherlands, is one of the most famous artists of all time. His sunflowers are universally recognized, his severed ear is legendary—and yet he was relatively unknown during his lifetime and considered himself a failure.

Today his works sell for hundreds of millions of dollars and his name has become synonymous with artistic genius. Yet there are facts about his life and work that may still surprise you.

1. He Almost Never Became an Artist

Can you imagine a world without his Sunflowers or Starry Night? It's not as far-fetched as you might think. Van Gogh originally wanted to become a priest and worked as a lay preacher in Borinage, Belgium. Only when he was dismissed from that position did he decide that his future lay in painting. In fact, Van Gogh didn't start painting until he was 27 years old and never received any formal training.

This late start makes his achievements even more remarkable. In just a decade, he developed from a complete novice to one of history's most influential artists, proving that passion and dedication can overcome a lack of formal education.

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2. Inspirations from the East

Van Gogh worked with various sources of inspiration, including Dutch genre painting and the realistic painting of Millet and his contemporaries, but he was particularly influenced by Japanese woodcuts. Sometimes he even copied prints by Hiroshige, Kesai Eisen, and others—albeit in his own highly expressive and idiosyncratic style.

This Japanese influence, known as Japonisme, was revolutionary for Western art. Van Gogh collected hundreds of Japanese prints and incorporated their bold outlines, flattened perspectives, and vibrant colors into his own work. His painting "Flowering Plum Tree" (1887) is a direct copy of Hiroshige's work, while paintings like "The Bedroom" show the lasting influence of Japanese compositional techniques.

3. A New Artwork Every 36 Hours

Although Van Gogh only painted for 10 years—from age 27 until his premature death at 37—he was incredibly prolific. He created more than 900 paintings and many more drawings and sketches, which amounts to nearly one new artwork every 36 hours. This extraordinary output becomes even more impressive when you consider that many of these works are now considered masterpieces.

His intense work ethic was driven by an almost manic need to capture his vision on canvas. He would often work from sunrise to sunset, sometimes completing multiple paintings in a single day. This productivity was particularly notable during his time in Arles, where he created some of his most famous works in rapid succession.

4. He Was a Man of Letters

Van Gogh not only created hundreds of artworks but wrote almost as many letters and postcards. These often contained the first sketches for many of his most famous masterpieces. His correspondence, particularly with his brother Theo, provides invaluable insight into his artistic process, mental state, and the development of his revolutionary style.

Over 800 of these letters survive today, making Van Gogh one of the most well-documented artists in history. They reveal a thoughtful, articulate man who was deeply philosophical about art and life, contradicting the popular image of him as merely a "mad genius."

Self-Portrait Dedicated to Paul Gauguin (1888) by Vincent van Gogh
Harvard Art Museums.

5. Close Male Friendships

Van Gogh maintained several close friendships with other artists, including fellow painter Paul Gauguin. Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Emile Bernard wanted to establish a close community of artists in Southern France, where they would live and paint together.

At Van Gogh's initiative, the three artists exchanged self-portraits. This artistic brotherhood was Van Gogh's dream of creating an "Studio of the South" in Arles, where artists could work together, support each other, and push the boundaries of modern art. Although this utopian vision never fully materialized, it resulted in some of the most dynamic artistic collaborations of the 19th century.

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6. He Was His Own Model

The unknown and impoverished artist Van Gogh had no money to pay models, so he painted himself. He created at least 35 self-portraits during his career, each revealing different aspects of his personality and mental state. These self-portraits now serve as a visual autobiography, documenting his physical and psychological transformation over the years.

Another cost-saving trick was that he painted over his works instead of buying new canvas. Art historians estimate that many Van Gogh paintings may hide earlier works underneath. Modern X-ray technology has already revealed several hidden paintings, and who knows how many more masterpieces are still concealed beneath others?

7. A Failure in His Own Eyes?

When Van Gogh painted his most famous work, Starry Night, he didn't even consider it successful. He wrote to his brother Theo that he considered it a failure compared to what he had envisioned. In fact, Van Gogh considered himself a failure and found many of his paintings unsuccessful. Rumor has it that he sold only one painting during his lifetime—"The Red Vineyard" for 400 francs, just months before his death.

If only we could go back in time and show him how beloved he is, 150 years later. His works now hang in the world's greatest museums, inspire millions of artists, and have become some of the most valuable paintings ever sold. The painting he considered a failure, Starry Night, is now one of the most recognized images in art history.

8. After an Argument with Gauguin, He Cut Off His Ear

It's common knowledge that Van Gogh cut off his ear in 1888, but do you know why?

The exact circumstances under which Van Gogh cut off his ear are not precisely known, but many experts believe it happened after a heated argument with painter Paul Gauguin at the Yellow House in Arles. The two artists had been living together, attempting to create Van Gogh's dream of an artists' colony, but their relationship had become increasingly strained.

Some historians even believe that Gauguin cut off his friend's ear and that the two conspired to blame Van Gogh so that Gauguin wouldn't be bothered by the police. Recent research suggests it may have been just the earlobe, not the entire ear.

Afterward, Van Gogh allegedly wrapped his severed ear and gave it to a woman at a nearby brothel. Despite this traumatic event, he continued painting, creating some of his most famous self-portraits showing his bandaged ear.

9. He Tragically Took His Own Life

Van Gogh suffered from mental health issues for many years. Modern psychiatrists have proposed various diagnoses, including bipolar disorder, temporal lobe epilepsy, and acute intermittent porphyria. In April 1889, he voluntarily admitted himself to the psychiatric hospital Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy, where he stayed for a year. From his window there, he created some of his most famous paintings, including Starry Night.

After leaving the asylum, Van Gogh moved to Auvers, a village near Paris, to be closer to his brother Theo. However, his mental health continued to deteriorate. On July 29, 1890, he shot himself in the chest. He died two days later, his last words to his brother being: "The sadness will last forever."

Recent theories suggest he may have been accidentally shot by local boys, but protected them by claiming suicide. Regardless of the exact circumstances, his death at 37 cut short one of art history's most remarkable careers.

10. An Inspiration for Centuries

Vincent van Gogh's works not only defined Post-Impressionism and provided endless inspiration for artists, but the tragic story of his life has also touched the hearts of countless musicians, writers, and filmmakers.

Don McLean's 1971 hit "Vincent" (also known as "Starry, Starry Night") is inspired by Van Gogh's unique worldview. He sings, "They would not listen, they did not know how... Perhaps they'll listen now."

Van Gogh's influence extends far beyond music. Films like "Loving Vincent" (2017), the world's first fully painted feature film, and "At Eternity's Gate" (2018) continue to explore his life and legacy. His bold use of color and expressive brushwork influenced the Fauves and German Expressionists, and continues to inspire contemporary artists worldwide.

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Remember: Van Gogh's story reminds us that artistic success isn't always measured in one's lifetime. His dedication to his craft, despite lack of recognition and personal struggles, created a legacy that continues to inspire millions. Every brushstroke you make connects you to this remarkable artistic tradition!

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