Liesbeth Heenk

Fascinating Look into the Life of a Tortured Genius Using Van Gogh's own letters as a primary source, the author discusses the artist's life, his approach to his work and his mental illness. The letters vividly show the artist's life was no bed of roses. Whereas Van Gogh perfectly knew what was sellable, he continued to produce what he considered as honest, 'truthful' art, regardless of current taste. He did not expect the art-buying public to understand the rough appearance of his work. Van Gogh acknowledged that being an artist simply involved struggle, but he believed that one would benefit from adversity, both personally and professionally. "No victory without a battle, no battle without suffering." In Van Gogh's case it seems to have been a never ending battle against poverty, isolation and adversity. Given his circumstances - being financially dependent upon his brother Theo, not selling any work, and getting minimal recognition - his achievements are utterly amazing. This is not a book about Van Gogh's art, but about his life as an artist and human being. By reading it, you will appreciate and understand his work even better. Van Gogh's Inner Struggle is number # 3 of the series SECRETS OF VAN GOGH. # 1 The 1-Hour Van Gogh Book is a brief introduction to Van Gogh's fascinating life and work. If you want to gain a greater appreciation for one of the most fascinating artists of all time, this is the book for you. You will gain a whole new perspective on Van Gogh. # 3 Van Gogh Today - Short Stories contains eight short stories of lives that were touched in some way or another by the artist. They are a reflection of the power of his story, and why Van Gogh remains a timeless inspiration to us all. The book is not about Van Gogh's paintings, but tells us about the relevance of Van Gogh's life story for eight seemingly ordinary people. # 4 Van Gogh and Love tells the story of the artist's longing for love and a family, exploring the lesser-known area of the artist's romantic life. As can perhaps be expected from an artist like Vincent van Gogh, his choice of women was unconventional. He favored more mature companions, and pursued relationships with women that were considered unsuitable. His yearning for love and a family life was intimately connected with his artistic practice. A woman could not only assist him practically, by serving as his model, but would also give him the opportunity to fully understand emotions like love, tenderness and compassion. A painter had to be immersed in his subject matter to properly express feelings in his work. # 5 Van Gogh and Money focuses on Vincent's financial situation, a subject never explored before. Known as the ultimate embodiment of the notion of the "poor artist", Vincent van Gogh was largely unable to sell his work during his lifetime. His letters tell of an eternal lack of money, and the difficulties this created when it came to practising his art. Paint, canvases and models were, as he discovered, not cheap. He was, however, more than happy to sacrifice his physical wellbeing in the interest of producing his masterpieces. The book follows Vincent during two critical periods of his artistic career, his time spent in The Hague and Arles. At both stages, he was supported by his brother Theo, who sent him a monthly allowance that never seemed sufficient. This dependency on his brother caused Vincent immense guilt. From his letters we get a good insight into Vincent's financial affairs, since the brothers' correspondence often touched on the subject of money. This book presents a more nuanced view of Vincent as the impoverished artist, as he was in fact in a rather fortunate position compared to many of his peers. Regardless of the actual amount of money he received from his brother, it becomes clear that Vincent was poor in the light of his ambition.

Life, Work and Mental Illness

Van Gogh's Inner Struggle

Kelly Cole Rappleye

Brilliant Short Stories on how Van Gogh still touches our daily lives. Van Gogh's life and work continue to be relevant, generation after generation, inspiring people from all walks of life. He is the ultimate story of unrecognized talent, and unbridled passion for and dedication to his work, reaching depression and mania in the process. In Van Gogh's life there is an aspect that every person living today can relate to and learn from. The artist's boundless energy and sheer determination against all odds has been a source of endless inspiration. Not only for his fellow artists, but for all of us. 'Van Gogh Today' contains eight short stories of lives that were touched in some way or another by the artist. They are a reflection of the power of his story, and why Van Gogh remains a timeless inspiration to us all.

Stories of the Artist in Our Modern World

Van Gogh Today

An Excellent Introduction to Van Gogh's fascinating Life and Work. Everyone is familiar with paintings such as "The Sunflowers” and “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh. The intense vibrant colours and wavy brushworks will almost tell you immediately that the work is by the master. But what do you actually know about his life filled with hardships and sorrow?This book is a smooth introduction to the life and work of Van Gogh, written by an expert who draws from a vast number of letters written by the artist himself to his brother Theo, family and friends, to illustrate how he bravely faced life, art and mental illness.If you want to gain a greater appreciation for one of the most fascinating artists of all time, this book is highly recommended. By spending one hour of your time you will gain a whole new perspective on Van Gogh's life and work.A well-written introduction to understanding the art of Vincent Van Gogh, the Kindle version has been selected many times on the Amazon best seller list.Excerpts from readers:"After you finish reading, you will have a whole new perspective, and appreciation, for the man who cut off his ear!" "I will undoubtedly look at his creations with a much different eye and suggest that all students of the arts read this book before going to see an exhibit of his works.""Loved it and hope to find more quick books like this on famous artists. Wonderful job."

The 1-Hour Van Gogh Book

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands

Howard Hodgkin Prints

Marie Aly, Esiri Erheriene-Essi, Carien Yatsiv, Hans Hoekstra ; [catalogus ; tentoonstelling Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam 10 Oktober 2009 tot en met 1 November 2009]

Koninkluke prus voor vrue Schilderkunst 2009

Nienke Bos

Van Gogh and Love is a captivating book that tells the story of Vincent van Gogh's longing for love and family. While the reader may be familiar with the artist's paintings and descent into mental illness, this work explores the lesser-known area of his romantic life. As soon becomes clear, matters of love were always on Vincent's mind, and were inextricably linked with other aspects of his life.Van Gogh and Love focuses on Vincent van Gogh's relationships with four striking women: his widowed cousin Kee Vos, the prostitute Sien Hoornik, the unstable neighbor Margot Begemann and the flamboyant Parisian café-owner Agostina Segatori. As can perhaps be expected from an artist like Van Gogh, his choice of women was unconventional. He favored more mature companions, and pursued relationships with women that were considered unsuitable. Vincent van Gogh's love affairs were frowned upon by his family, and further complicated by his lack of money. Van Gogh's yearning for love and a family life was intimately connected with his artistic practice. There is no doubt that art was the most important thing in his life. A woman could not only assist him practically, by serving as his model, but would also give him the opportunity to fully understand emotions like love, tenderness and compassion. A painter had to be immersed in his subject matter to properly express feelings in his work. Vincent was convinced that love would make him a better artist.When faced with the disapproval of his parents, financial hardship and failure to sell his sketches and paintings, the artist turned to his only ally – his brother Theo. In frequent, long letters he described his romantic hopes and aspirations. The author quotes extensively from these letters, allowing the reader to discover Vincent van Gogh's feelings about love and relationships at first hand.Van Gogh and Love successfully combines this basis in archival material with an entertaining and easy-to-read format, staying clear of jargon.Starting at the Van Gogh home in Etten with Kee, the love of Vincent's life, his “She and no other”, and the unhappy and obsessive period that followed, Van Gogh and Love takes the reader to the streets of The Hague, where the artist got a taste of family life with Sien and her children. From there one is transported to the artistic circles of bohemian Paris and Agostina's café, where Van Gogh's paintings hung on the wall, via an ill-fated encounter with Margot in Nuenen, which ended with a desperate suicide attempt on her part.The book follows Vincent van Gogh's quest for love up until his tragic end, detailing his life-long, and ultimately unfulfilled, desire for a woman and a family. It is a moving and sensitive portrayal, shedding light on the man behind the iconic paintings.Van Gogh and Love is part of the series Secrets of Van Gogh (www.secretsofvangogh.com)Secrets of Van Gogh 1: The 1-Hour Van Gogh Book. Complete Van Gogh Biography for BeginnersSecrets of Van Gogh 2:Van Gogh's Inner Struggle: Life, Work and Mental IllnessSecrets of Van Gogh 3:Van Gogh Today - Short StoriesSecrets of Van Gogh 4: Van Gogh in Love. A Romantic Van Gogh BiographySecrets of Van Gogh 5:Van Gogh and Money. The Myth of the Poor Artists

Liesbeth Heenk

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