Tragic artist Vincent van Gogh didn’t see his own potential
VINCENT VAN GOGH was one of the most inspired painters in history. But he was a tortured soul. Sadly, he lost the battle with his demons and, on July 29, 1890, shot himself, and died two days later.
Despite the fact he produced around 900 paintings over a 10-year period, the Dutchman sold just one during his lifetime, and became famous only after his death.
He was poverty stricken, too, and couldn’t afford to pay for models, which led to him painting the likes of his most famous works Sunflowers and The Starry Night, the latter of which he painted from his asylum window.
Vincent suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy, a chronic condition that meant he would have recurrent and unprovoked seizures. His illness depressed him. According to his brother, Theo, who was at his side when he died, Vincent’s last words were: “La tristesse durera toujours”, “the sadness will last for ever”.
It’s very tragic, and it moved Don McLean to write a song, Vincent.
He sang poignantly: “The world was never meant for one as beautiful as you”.
It’s heartbreaking to think Vincent never saw himself appreciated in his own lifetime.