Unlike most artists, Van Gogh developed very slowly, beginning with work as an art dealer that exposed him to many great works. He undertook this work for several years, after which he spent time as a missionary for the Dutch Reformed Church. Thereafter, he drifted for several years before re-turning home to his parents' house, where he took up painting, largely self-taught with books on anatomy and painting. His great works all date from the later years of his life.

Inside you'll read about

• Early Life
• The First Four Years of Creativity
• Stylistic Developments and Influences
• Paris
• Arles
• Van Gogh and Gauguin
• Hospitalization
• Life in an Asylum
• Van Gogh's Death

And much more!

Totally neglected in his life, he suffered from psychosis for much of his life, and was treated for depression, unsuccessfully. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on July 29th, 1890. Only after his death, thanks to the efforts of his brother, Theo, he achieved recognition as a great artist.