Painter
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter known for expressive color, energetic brushwork, and a highly visible paint surface.
Vincent van Gogh quick facts
A concise reference for his life, work, and painting approach.
| Full name | Vincent Willem van Gogh |
|---|---|
| Born | March 30, 1853 · Zundert, Netherlands |
| Died | July 29, 1890 · Auvers-sur-Oise, France |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Movement | Post-Impressionism |
| Primary medium | Oil paint |
| Common subjects | Landscapes, portraits, self-portraits, and still lifes |
| Notable works | The Starry Night, Sunflowers, The Bedroom, and Irises |
Sources: Van Gogh Museum, The National Gallery, and The Museum of Modern Art.
Painting approach
Van Gogh often placed short strokes of color beside one another instead of blending everything into a smooth surface. The direction of those strokes helped define forms and gave skies, fields, trees, and figures a strong sense of movement.
He worked primarily with oil paint and sometimes applied it thickly so the brush or palette-knife marks remained visible. Strong contrasts—such as blue beside yellow or green beside red—made his colors appear more intense.