Van Gogh - His life and works in 500 images

Vincent Van Gogh produced over 2000 works of art during his short career, but did not achieve fame as an artist until after his death. He led a troubled life, dealing with commercal failure, difficult personal relationships and eventually with mental illness, culminating in his suicide in 1890. He made little money from his art during his lifetime, but his paintings are now some of the best-known and most expensive works in the world. The first half of this fascinating new book contains a detailed exploration of Van Gogh's life, including his background, early career, influences and relationships. Beginning with his birth in the Netherlands in 1853, it details his childhood, family life, education and working life before he began painting in 1880. Initially influenced by the Impressionist artists whose work he encountered during his time in Paris, Van Gogh played a huge role in shaping the development of modern art, as an early pioneer of what came to be known as Expressionism. His influences and achievements are explained clearly and informatively. The second half of the book comprises a comprehensive gallery of over 300 full-colour representations of his significant works, from his early sketches and paintings to the hugely famous Sunflowers, Irises and The Starry Night. These superb reproductions are accompanied by thorough analysis of each painting and its significance within the context of Van Gogh's life, his technique and his body of work as a whole. This comprehensive new book is an essential volume for anyone who wants to learn more about this intriguing artist, and to survey his greatest works in one beautifully-illustrated collection.