Vincent van Gogh (18531890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter.

His early works,

mostly still lifes and depictions of peasant labourers, contain few signs of the vivid colour that
distinguishes his later work. In 1886 he moved to Paris where he met members of the avantgarde, including mile Bernard and Paul Gauguin, who were reacting against
the Impressionist sensibility. As Van Gogh's work developed he created a new approach to still
lifes and local landscapes. In the south of France in 1888, he turned to painting olive trees,
cypresses, wheat fields and sunflowers, using brighter colours. Selling only one painting during
his lifetime, he was considered a madman and a failure, and committed suicide at 37. His
reputation began to grow in the early 20th century as Fauvists and German Expressionists took
up elements of his painting style. He has attained widespread critical and popular acclaim, and is
remembered as an important but tragic painter. His works are among the world's most expensive
paintings. (Full article...)