What do you think?
Rate this book
Van Gogh: The Complete Paintings
A complete catalogue of the 871 paintings and a detailed monograph on his life and art
This study of Vincent van Gogh represents a rare and happy chance in art history, combining a detailed monograph on his life and art with a complete catalogue of the 871 paintings by one of the greatest modern artists. This volume also reproduces most of van Gogh's paintings in colour for the first time.
740 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
820 people are currently reading
82846 people want to read
About the author
Ingo F. Walther
124 books55 followersIngo F. Walther was born in Berlin in 1940 and studied medieval studies, literature, and art history in Frankfurt am Main and Munich. He has published numerous books on the art of the Middle Ages and of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
April 28, 2023
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was an influential Dutch painter, one of the most outstanding representatives of post-impressionist painting.
Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853-1890) was born in Zundert, a small Dutch village, on March 30, 1853. The son of a Calvinist pastor was a rebellious and withdrawn child. In 1869 he entered a local boarding school.
At 16, Van Gogh went to The Hague to work with his uncle, who opened the branch of Galeria Goupil, an important company that sold works and books. After three years, he is sent to Brussels, where he spends two years. Then he goes to London, always at the service of the gallery.
In 1875, van Gogh obtained his transfer to Paris, where he thought he could free himself from all his frustrations. However, in April 1876, after being upset with his clients, he was dismissed from the Goupil group.
He goes to England, where he accepts the teacher position at a small-town elementary school. Then, in December, he goes to Etten the same year, where he meets his family, but his family relationships are complex; he only feels understood by Theo, his younger brother.
Van Gogh becomes depressed, suffers repeated nervous breakdowns, and spends long periods of loneliness. Finally, in 1877 he got a job in a bookstore in Dordrecht until he decided to pursue his father's career. Then, he joins the Theological Seminary at the University of Amsterdam.
Failing of lack of base, he entered the Evangelical School in Brussels. He takes the place of a missionary preacher in the coal mines of Borinage, Belgium. However, the contact with the workers' misery caused his first great spiritual crisis, accompanied by the loss of faith, and in 1879 he was dismissed.
In 1880, Van Gogh went to Brussels, and with the money his brother sent him, he studied anatomy and perspective. After that, he spent his days drawing and moved in 1881 to The Hague, where he was welcomed by the painter Mauve. He paints watercolors where sailors, anglers, and peasants appear.
He writes to his brother, "I don't want to paint pictures, I want to paint life." He makes numerous drawings and oil paintings. The following year he returns to his parent's house, where he spends his days reading and painting.
In March 1885, his father died suddenly. In April of the same year, Van Gogh painted The Potato Eaters, characterized by dark tones.
In January 1886, Van Gogh traveled to Antwerp, where he began studies at the local Academy. In February, he is welcomed in Paris by his brother Theo. This one is the painter's most pleasant time. He becomes familiar with the impressionists Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro. Later, he becomes friends with Gauguin.
The influence of impressionist artists and the growing admiration for Oriental art led Van Gogh to develop his style. The artist takes the practice of building the figure utilizing separate brush strokes and solid and defined colors. Van Gogh painted 200 pictures in two years, including the Self-Portrait (1887) and Portrait of Père Tanguy (1887-1888).
Post-Impressionism only appeared in 1910 when the critic and artist Roger Fry organized an exhibition entitled "Manet and the Post-Impressionists." The leading artists were Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
In 1888, Van Gogh found himself in poor health and followed the advice of Toulouse-Lautrec, went to the countryside, and in February in Arles, painted outdoors.
At the time, Van Gogh painted his most important works; there were more than 100 paintings, among them: View of Arles with Lilies (1888), Sunflowers (1888), where a single shade is valued through the light modulations and Bedroom in Arles ( 1888).
Vincent van Gogh lived with Gauguin for a while, but the two artists always fought. There are reports that his mistress was involved with Gauguin, and when he finds out, he argues and attacks his friend with a razor.
Sorry, cut off a piece of your ear and send it to Gauguin in an envelope. He is taken to the hospital, then goes home and paints the Self Portrait with the Cut Ear (1888).
In May 1889, he asked his brother to admit him. He goes to the Hospital de Saint-Rémy-de-Provance and turns his room into a studio, producing over two hundred paintings and hundreds of drawings, including The Starry Night (1889).
Theo asks Signac, a painter's friend, to visit him. Signac is impressed by Van Gogh's painting. So he took some friends to Theo's house to see Van Gogh's paintings. The Mercury of France newspaper praises the painter. An exhibition at the Brussels Gallery is organized, but the artist only sells The Red Vine (1888), the only one that would have sold during the painter's lifetime.
Vincent van Gogh left Saint-Rémy in May 1890. He goes to Auvers, under the care of Dr. Gachet, who examines him and says that the situation is serious. He painted over 200 drawings and 40 paintings in the period, including Trigal with Crows (1890) and The Church in Auvers (1890).
Van Gogh died practically anonymously after a tormented life that led him to isolation and finally to suicide. On July 27, Van Gogh goes out to the wheat field with a gun in his hand, and in the middle of the area, he shoots himself in the chest and is rescued, but he cannot resist.
Fame came only after his death. However, much of its history is described in the 750 letters he wrote to his brother Theo, which showed a strong connection.
Vincent van Gogh died in Auvers, France, on July 29, 1890. On the day of his death, in the attic of the Goupil Gallery in Paris, 700 paintings were heaped without a buyer.
The Church in Nuenen, 1884
The Potato Eaters, 1885
The Nuenen Parish House, 1885
Skull with Lighted Cigarette, 1886
Guinguette de Montmartre, 1886
The Italian, 1887
The Bridge Under the Rain, 1887
Still Life with Absinthe, 1887
Two Cut Sunflowers, 1887
Self-Portrait with Straw Hat, 1887
Pai Tanguy, 1887-1888
Self-Portrait Dedicated to Gauguin, 1888
Café Terrace at Forum Square, 1888
The Yellow House, 1888
Boats from Saintes-Maries, 1888
The Old Mill, 1888
La Mousmé, 1888
The Red Vine, 1888
Sunflowers, 1888
The Bedroom at Arles, 1889
Starry Night, 1889
Self-Portrait with Cut Ear, 1888
Olive Trees, 1889
The Cypresses, 1889
The Nap, 1890
The Prisoners' Round, 1890
Almond Trees, 1890
The Church of Auvers, 1890
Trigal with Crows, 1890
Portrait of Dr. Gachet, 1890
Source: https://www.ebiografia.com/van_gogh/
Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853-1890) was born in Zundert, a small Dutch village, on March 30, 1853. The son of a Calvinist pastor was a rebellious and withdrawn child. In 1869 he entered a local boarding school.
At 16, Van Gogh went to The Hague to work with his uncle, who opened the branch of Galeria Goupil, an important company that sold works and books. After three years, he is sent to Brussels, where he spends two years. Then he goes to London, always at the service of the gallery.
In 1875, van Gogh obtained his transfer to Paris, where he thought he could free himself from all his frustrations. However, in April 1876, after being upset with his clients, he was dismissed from the Goupil group.
He goes to England, where he accepts the teacher position at a small-town elementary school. Then, in December, he goes to Etten the same year, where he meets his family, but his family relationships are complex; he only feels understood by Theo, his younger brother.
Van Gogh becomes depressed, suffers repeated nervous breakdowns, and spends long periods of loneliness. Finally, in 1877 he got a job in a bookstore in Dordrecht until he decided to pursue his father's career. Then, he joins the Theological Seminary at the University of Amsterdam.
Failing of lack of base, he entered the Evangelical School in Brussels. He takes the place of a missionary preacher in the coal mines of Borinage, Belgium. However, the contact with the workers' misery caused his first great spiritual crisis, accompanied by the loss of faith, and in 1879 he was dismissed.
In 1880, Van Gogh went to Brussels, and with the money his brother sent him, he studied anatomy and perspective. After that, he spent his days drawing and moved in 1881 to The Hague, where he was welcomed by the painter Mauve. He paints watercolors where sailors, anglers, and peasants appear.
He writes to his brother, "I don't want to paint pictures, I want to paint life." He makes numerous drawings and oil paintings. The following year he returns to his parent's house, where he spends his days reading and painting.
In March 1885, his father died suddenly. In April of the same year, Van Gogh painted The Potato Eaters, characterized by dark tones.
In January 1886, Van Gogh traveled to Antwerp, where he began studies at the local Academy. In February, he is welcomed in Paris by his brother Theo. This one is the painter's most pleasant time. He becomes familiar with the impressionists Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro. Later, he becomes friends with Gauguin.
The influence of impressionist artists and the growing admiration for Oriental art led Van Gogh to develop his style. The artist takes the practice of building the figure utilizing separate brush strokes and solid and defined colors. Van Gogh painted 200 pictures in two years, including the Self-Portrait (1887) and Portrait of Père Tanguy (1887-1888).
Post-Impressionism only appeared in 1910 when the critic and artist Roger Fry organized an exhibition entitled "Manet and the Post-Impressionists." The leading artists were Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
In 1888, Van Gogh found himself in poor health and followed the advice of Toulouse-Lautrec, went to the countryside, and in February in Arles, painted outdoors.
At the time, Van Gogh painted his most important works; there were more than 100 paintings, among them: View of Arles with Lilies (1888), Sunflowers (1888), where a single shade is valued through the light modulations and Bedroom in Arles ( 1888).
Vincent van Gogh lived with Gauguin for a while, but the two artists always fought. There are reports that his mistress was involved with Gauguin, and when he finds out, he argues and attacks his friend with a razor.
Sorry, cut off a piece of your ear and send it to Gauguin in an envelope. He is taken to the hospital, then goes home and paints the Self Portrait with the Cut Ear (1888).
In May 1889, he asked his brother to admit him. He goes to the Hospital de Saint-Rémy-de-Provance and turns his room into a studio, producing over two hundred paintings and hundreds of drawings, including The Starry Night (1889).
Theo asks Signac, a painter's friend, to visit him. Signac is impressed by Van Gogh's painting. So he took some friends to Theo's house to see Van Gogh's paintings. The Mercury of France newspaper praises the painter. An exhibition at the Brussels Gallery is organized, but the artist only sells The Red Vine (1888), the only one that would have sold during the painter's lifetime.
Vincent van Gogh left Saint-Rémy in May 1890. He goes to Auvers, under the care of Dr. Gachet, who examines him and says that the situation is serious. He painted over 200 drawings and 40 paintings in the period, including Trigal with Crows (1890) and The Church in Auvers (1890).
Van Gogh died practically anonymously after a tormented life that led him to isolation and finally to suicide. On July 27, Van Gogh goes out to the wheat field with a gun in his hand, and in the middle of the area, he shoots himself in the chest and is rescued, but he cannot resist.
Fame came only after his death. However, much of its history is described in the 750 letters he wrote to his brother Theo, which showed a strong connection.
Vincent van Gogh died in Auvers, France, on July 29, 1890. On the day of his death, in the attic of the Goupil Gallery in Paris, 700 paintings were heaped without a buyer.
The Church in Nuenen, 1884
The Potato Eaters, 1885
The Nuenen Parish House, 1885
Skull with Lighted Cigarette, 1886
Guinguette de Montmartre, 1886
The Italian, 1887
The Bridge Under the Rain, 1887
Still Life with Absinthe, 1887
Two Cut Sunflowers, 1887
Self-Portrait with Straw Hat, 1887
Pai Tanguy, 1887-1888
Self-Portrait Dedicated to Gauguin, 1888
Café Terrace at Forum Square, 1888
The Yellow House, 1888
Boats from Saintes-Maries, 1888
The Old Mill, 1888
La Mousmé, 1888
The Red Vine, 1888
Sunflowers, 1888
The Bedroom at Arles, 1889
Starry Night, 1889
Self-Portrait with Cut Ear, 1888
Olive Trees, 1889
The Cypresses, 1889
The Nap, 1890
The Prisoners' Round, 1890
Almond Trees, 1890
The Church of Auvers, 1890
Trigal with Crows, 1890
Portrait of Dr. Gachet, 1890
Source: https://www.ebiografia.com/van_gogh/
January 16, 2020
I'm done and I'm happy. Wow. Wow. Wow. No words can express the magnitude of this man's work!
Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, to upper middle class parents. He spent his early adulthood working for a firm of art dealers before traveling to The Hague, London and Paris. He was deeply religious as a younger man and aspired to be a pastor, like his father. He became a teacher in England and then worked as a missionary in a mining region in Belgium where he sketched people from the local community, and in 1885 painted his first major work The Potato Eaters. His palette then consisted mainly of somber earth tones and showed no sign of the vivid coloration that distinguished his later paintings.
In March 1886, he moved to Paris and discovered the French Impressionists. He met many artists including Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pissarro and Gauguin, with whom he became friends. Later, he moved to the south of France and was influenced by the region's strong sunlight. His paintings grew brighter in color, and he developed the unique and highly recognizable style that became fully realized during his stay in Arles in 1888.
Van Gogh invited Gauguin to join him in Arles, but their relationship began to deteriorate. Van Gogh admired Gauguin and desperately wanted to be treated as his equal, but Gauguin was arrogant and domineering, something that often frustrated Van Gogh. They quarreled about art; Van Gogh increasingly feared that Gauguin was going to desert him, and the situation, which Van Gogh described as one of "excessive tension," rapidly headed towards a crisis point. Deeply remorseful, he then cut off part of his own ear.
This incident was the first serious sign of the mental health problems that were to afflict Van Gogh for the remaining days of his life. He spent time in psychiatric hospitals and swung between periods of inertia, depression and incredibly concentrated artistic activity. His work reflected the intense colours and strong light of the countryside around him. On May 9, 1889, he asked to be admitted to the asylum at Saint-Rémy-de Provence, a hospital for the mentally ill. In the year Van Gogh spent at the asylum he worked as much as he had at Arles, producing 150 paintings and hundreds of drawings.
Van Gogh went to Paris on May 17, 1890, to visit his brother, Theo. On the advice of Pissarro, Theo had Vincent go to Auvers, just outside Paris. At first, Van Gogh felt relieved at Auvers, but toward the end of June he experienced fits of temper and often quarreled with Gachet. On July 27, 1890, he was severely injured by a gunshot and died, two days later, in the morning of July 29, 1890. Up to this day, it remains unclear whether he shot himself in a lonely field or whether he was murdered.
The most comprehensive primary source for understanding Van Gogh is the collection of letters between him and his younger brother, art dealer Theo van Gogh. They lay the foundation for most of what is known about his thoughts and beliefs.Theo provided his brother with financial and emotional support. The brother's lifelong friendship, and most of what is known of Vincent's thoughts and theories of art, is recorded in the hundreds of letters exchanged between 1872 and 1890. There are more than 600 from Vincent to Theo, and 40 from Theo to Vincent.
Personally, I didn't necessarily enjoy the writing in this biography. I thought that the way in which the information on Van Gogh's life were presented, albeit chronologically, still left me confused. Walther's writing style is quite inaccessible and it's hard to follow along with his arguments since a lot of his train of thoughts are left hanging in thin air. It was quite frustrating to read since Van Gogh had such a fascinating and captivating life. Nonetheless, I had to give this biography such a high rating since it is to date one of the only books that contains Van Gogh's entire body of work in full color (781 paintings).
I found it fascinating to see the different stages in Van Gogh's life and to how many different art styles he committed before finding his own. He started with painting in somber tones, mostly still lives, then studies of the working class. He even tried nude painting and painting busts. Personally, I tend to enjoy his portraits even more than his landscape paintings – but both are absolutely sublime, of course! Overall, this book is just such a gem and an invaluable treasure and I cannot wait to flip through these pages and look at Van Gogh's work for many years to come.
Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, to upper middle class parents. He spent his early adulthood working for a firm of art dealers before traveling to The Hague, London and Paris. He was deeply religious as a younger man and aspired to be a pastor, like his father. He became a teacher in England and then worked as a missionary in a mining region in Belgium where he sketched people from the local community, and in 1885 painted his first major work The Potato Eaters. His palette then consisted mainly of somber earth tones and showed no sign of the vivid coloration that distinguished his later paintings.
In March 1886, he moved to Paris and discovered the French Impressionists. He met many artists including Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pissarro and Gauguin, with whom he became friends. Later, he moved to the south of France and was influenced by the region's strong sunlight. His paintings grew brighter in color, and he developed the unique and highly recognizable style that became fully realized during his stay in Arles in 1888.
Van Gogh invited Gauguin to join him in Arles, but their relationship began to deteriorate. Van Gogh admired Gauguin and desperately wanted to be treated as his equal, but Gauguin was arrogant and domineering, something that often frustrated Van Gogh. They quarreled about art; Van Gogh increasingly feared that Gauguin was going to desert him, and the situation, which Van Gogh described as one of "excessive tension," rapidly headed towards a crisis point. Deeply remorseful, he then cut off part of his own ear.
This incident was the first serious sign of the mental health problems that were to afflict Van Gogh for the remaining days of his life. He spent time in psychiatric hospitals and swung between periods of inertia, depression and incredibly concentrated artistic activity. His work reflected the intense colours and strong light of the countryside around him. On May 9, 1889, he asked to be admitted to the asylum at Saint-Rémy-de Provence, a hospital for the mentally ill. In the year Van Gogh spent at the asylum he worked as much as he had at Arles, producing 150 paintings and hundreds of drawings.
Van Gogh went to Paris on May 17, 1890, to visit his brother, Theo. On the advice of Pissarro, Theo had Vincent go to Auvers, just outside Paris. At first, Van Gogh felt relieved at Auvers, but toward the end of June he experienced fits of temper and often quarreled with Gachet. On July 27, 1890, he was severely injured by a gunshot and died, two days later, in the morning of July 29, 1890. Up to this day, it remains unclear whether he shot himself in a lonely field or whether he was murdered.
The most comprehensive primary source for understanding Van Gogh is the collection of letters between him and his younger brother, art dealer Theo van Gogh. They lay the foundation for most of what is known about his thoughts and beliefs.Theo provided his brother with financial and emotional support. The brother's lifelong friendship, and most of what is known of Vincent's thoughts and theories of art, is recorded in the hundreds of letters exchanged between 1872 and 1890. There are more than 600 from Vincent to Theo, and 40 from Theo to Vincent.
Personally, I didn't necessarily enjoy the writing in this biography. I thought that the way in which the information on Van Gogh's life were presented, albeit chronologically, still left me confused. Walther's writing style is quite inaccessible and it's hard to follow along with his arguments since a lot of his train of thoughts are left hanging in thin air. It was quite frustrating to read since Van Gogh had such a fascinating and captivating life. Nonetheless, I had to give this biography such a high rating since it is to date one of the only books that contains Van Gogh's entire body of work in full color (781 paintings).
I found it fascinating to see the different stages in Van Gogh's life and to how many different art styles he committed before finding his own. He started with painting in somber tones, mostly still lives, then studies of the working class. He even tried nude painting and painting busts. Personally, I tend to enjoy his portraits even more than his landscape paintings – but both are absolutely sublime, of course! Overall, this book is just such a gem and an invaluable treasure and I cannot wait to flip through these pages and look at Van Gogh's work for many years to come.
July 6, 2018
Foreword: Deserted
--Vincent van Gogh: The Complete Paintings, Part 1. Etten, April 1881 -- Paris, 1888
Foreword: The Unity of Art and Life
--Vincent van Gogh: The Complete Paintings, Part 2. Arles, February 1888 -- Auvers-sur-Oise, July 1890
Vincent van Gogh 1853 -- 1890 A Chronology
Bibliography
Comparative Table of Catalogue Numbers
Index of Paintings
Acknowledgements
Index of Names
--Vincent van Gogh: The Complete Paintings, Part 1. Etten, April 1881 -- Paris, 1888
Foreword: The Unity of Art and Life
--Vincent van Gogh: The Complete Paintings, Part 2. Arles, February 1888 -- Auvers-sur-Oise, July 1890
Vincent van Gogh 1853 -- 1890 A Chronology
Bibliography
Comparative Table of Catalogue Numbers
Index of Paintings
Acknowledgements
Index of Names
August 2, 2023
🎨 🖼️ His colors, his gobs of bright, thick oil paint, his vision of beauty and passion for beauty, even while he struggled with his mental health, fill my heart.
May 22, 2023
"Desejo muitíssimo que as pessoas que me querem bem acabem por finalmente compreender que o que eu faço ou não faço brota de um profundo sentimento de amor e de uma necessidade de amor.
Este trabalho, então, é o meu objetivo... E é assim que me vejo a mim próprio — como um homem que tem de produzir algo com coração e amor, (...) este pensamento é a luz que me guia sempre que faço planos para o meu trabalho. "
Este trabalho, então, é o meu objetivo... E é assim que me vejo a mim próprio — como um homem que tem de produzir algo com coração e amor, (...) este pensamento é a luz que me guia sempre que faço planos para o meu trabalho. "
September 10, 2016
I had read this book in a library, while I was looking up books about painters. I ended up reading two books about Vicent that time and this was one of them. I always had a soft spot in my heart for this painter. While it is true that I'm a lover of art, I find Vicent's paintings to be particularly moving. I respond to his art on a deeply personal level and I suppose that's as good as a reason as any to want to know more about him. I haven't purched this book yet and I'm not sure will I. Some time in the future, I plan to invest in a few books of the sort, but I think that can wait.
This book is not a complete study of Vicent's life but it is a very interesting read. It did shed a new light on his life and revealed some facts that were unknown to me. It fooled my interest in his life. The quality of reproductions is satisfactory, but far from perfect. Although I'm not really an expert, it seemed to me that the colours on reproductions of oil paintings were a bit off. Illustration and sketches on the other hand were of high- quality.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Van Gogh or is interested in painting. It is well written, it contains interesting (albeit somewhat depressive and dark) information about his life. If you want to learn more about this fascinating man, you will do well to read this one. There were many layers to Vicent, he was a deeply ethical man and a great thinker. It is really tragic how most people think of him as that crazy guy who cut his ear off. He was a great painter, but his life story is noteworthy as well. His brave struggle for his art is something that is worth reading about. I for one plan to continue reading about Vicent.
This book is not a complete study of Vicent's life but it is a very interesting read. It did shed a new light on his life and revealed some facts that were unknown to me. It fooled my interest in his life. The quality of reproductions is satisfactory, but far from perfect. Although I'm not really an expert, it seemed to me that the colours on reproductions of oil paintings were a bit off. Illustration and sketches on the other hand were of high- quality.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Van Gogh or is interested in painting. It is well written, it contains interesting (albeit somewhat depressive and dark) information about his life. If you want to learn more about this fascinating man, you will do well to read this one. There were many layers to Vicent, he was a deeply ethical man and a great thinker. It is really tragic how most people think of him as that crazy guy who cut his ear off. He was a great painter, but his life story is noteworthy as well. His brave struggle for his art is something that is worth reading about. I for one plan to continue reading about Vicent.
March 20, 2023
“They would not listen, they did not know how. Perhaps they’ll listen now.”
(Don McLean, “Vincent.”)
I have had this insane love for Vincent van Gogh’s work for as long as I can remember. It just screams, “Look at me. Feel me. This is life.” All the breathtaking color vividly expressing mood and emotion. All the heavily textured brush strokes that one could visually see, knowing that the physical touch would be even more. I type this as I sit outside with a freshly filled bird feeder located on my far right, visible out of the corner of one eye. I find myself randomly glancing over to take in the mostly winter birds mixed with a few early spring birds that are busy battling it out with a cold weather fluffed squirrel. I contemplate the view and can’t help but think of Vincent strolling out in the early morning, with his gear in hand, ready to find the perfect everyday scene that captures his physical eye at that exact right moment. The color palette he wants to use already in his mind’s eye, set to match the mood of the day before him.
This book was everything it needed to be and then some. It was gorgeous, informative and I am so very happy to have it permanently placed on my nightstand in the top book spot. If you are a fan of Vincent’s art, I highly recommend it. I also recommend visiting any of his paintings in person (on my bucket list) and attending an immersive experience if one is close to you (I did that last summer). His work is something to behold, this book was amazing, and the planning of a tattoo of his art on my skin...well that last one is all mine.
“They would not listen, they’re not listening still. Perhaps they never will.” (Don McLean, “Vincent.”)
I have had this insane love for Vincent van Gogh’s work for as long as I can remember. It just screams, “Look at me. Feel me. This is life.” All the breathtaking color vividly expressing mood and emotion. All the heavily textured brush strokes that one could visually see, knowing that the physical touch would be even more. I type this as I sit outside with a freshly filled bird feeder located on my far right, visible out of the corner of one eye. I find myself randomly glancing over to take in the mostly winter birds mixed with a few early spring birds that are busy battling it out with a cold weather fluffed squirrel. I contemplate the view and can’t help but think of Vincent strolling out in the early morning, with his gear in hand, ready to find the perfect everyday scene that captures his physical eye at that exact right moment. The color palette he wants to use already in his mind’s eye, set to match the mood of the day before him.
This book was everything it needed to be and then some. It was gorgeous, informative and I am so very happy to have it permanently placed on my nightstand in the top book spot. If you are a fan of Vincent’s art, I highly recommend it. I also recommend visiting any of his paintings in person (on my bucket list) and attending an immersive experience if one is close to you (I did that last summer). His work is something to behold, this book was amazing, and the planning of a tattoo of his art on my skin...well that last one is all mine.
“They would not listen, they’re not listening still. Perhaps they never will.” (Don McLean, “Vincent.”)
April 3, 2024
O călătorie fascinantă în lumea lui Van Gogh, geniul pe care nu l-a apreciat nimeni în timpul vieții (a vândut o singură lucrare), dar care, în prezent, se regăsește în toate marile muzee ale lumii - și are chiar și propriul său muzeu, în Amsterdam.
Am vizitat muzeul fără să mă fi documentat prea mult despre viața lui - știam că e Van Gogh, știam de floarea-soarelui ca motiv al picturilor sale, știam de "Starry Night" (care, sic!, nici măcar nu e în Amsterdam) și știam că și-a tăiat urechea.
Acolo, în schimb, văzând o parte dintre lucrările sale, "live", cum s-ar spune, m-am îndrăgostit iremediabil de mintea acestui om. Și am vrut să aflu din ce în ce mai multe.
Povestea vieții sale impresionează nu doar prin faptul că a fost recunoscut ca un geniu al picturii abia după ce a murit, ci, mai ales, prin delăsarea cu care societatea acelor vremuri trata oamenii bolnavi. Încă nu se știe concret care e tulburarea mintală de care artistul a suferit - schizofrenie, epilepsie, depresie - însă, la acea vreme, s-au făcut inclusiv petiții pentru spitalizarea lui, pentru că era considerat un ciudat.
Acest "ciudat", totuși, chiar și în prezent, continuă să inspire și să bucure sufletele oamenilor prin arta pe care a creat-o.
Prin urmare, recomand această lucrare imensă despre viața și lucrările artistului și recomand, în general, Van Gogh.
P.S.: sub fiecare lucrare este menționat și muzeul/galeria în care aceasta se regăsește, prin urmare, poate fi creionat chiar și un itinerariu de călătorie prin lectura acestei cărți.
Am vizitat muzeul fără să mă fi documentat prea mult despre viața lui - știam că e Van Gogh, știam de floarea-soarelui ca motiv al picturilor sale, știam de "Starry Night" (care, sic!, nici măcar nu e în Amsterdam) și știam că și-a tăiat urechea.
Acolo, în schimb, văzând o parte dintre lucrările sale, "live", cum s-ar spune, m-am îndrăgostit iremediabil de mintea acestui om. Și am vrut să aflu din ce în ce mai multe.
Povestea vieții sale impresionează nu doar prin faptul că a fost recunoscut ca un geniu al picturii abia după ce a murit, ci, mai ales, prin delăsarea cu care societatea acelor vremuri trata oamenii bolnavi. Încă nu se știe concret care e tulburarea mintală de care artistul a suferit - schizofrenie, epilepsie, depresie - însă, la acea vreme, s-au făcut inclusiv petiții pentru spitalizarea lui, pentru că era considerat un ciudat.
Acest "ciudat", totuși, chiar și în prezent, continuă să inspire și să bucure sufletele oamenilor prin arta pe care a creat-o.
Prin urmare, recomand această lucrare imensă despre viața și lucrările artistului și recomand, în general, Van Gogh.
P.S.: sub fiecare lucrare este menționat și muzeul/galeria în care aceasta se regăsește, prin urmare, poate fi creionat chiar și un itinerariu de călătorie prin lectura acestei cărți.
June 27, 2011
As a person who was not aware of the works of Vincent van gogh, I was surprised to read about the biography of the artist marred by trouble, depression, sadness and failures. For the 1st time, I could truly appreciate his use of dark tones, social themes and shades in his pieces, a result of his mental state. I have come out with utmost appreciation for his work and respect.
I cannot forget some of his last words - "I can't change the fact that my paintings don't sell. But the time will come when people will recognize that they are worth more than the value of the paints used in the picture."
Recommended as a collectible for a copy of all his works in color and a introductory monograph on the artist.
I cannot forget some of his last words - "I can't change the fact that my paintings don't sell. But the time will come when people will recognize that they are worth more than the value of the paints used in the picture."
Recommended as a collectible for a copy of all his works in color and a introductory monograph on the artist.
July 25, 2023
I don't actually have this book. I just saw a bunch of Van Gogh paintings in person and tried to look at his complete paintings digitally and in print. Obviously a 5-star experience. My plan is to slowly look at more and more artists in some sort of organized way and get a sense for fine art. Let me know what other artists I should be checking out or if there's a good resource for it.
September 14, 2008
While it's nice to peruse a compendium of my favorite artist's work, there were two major problems with this work.
The first is unfortunately inherent in van Gogh's work, and that is how printed facsimiles of his paintings never come close to the full register of color and sheer power of the originals. I was again and again taken by how his paintings, in this book, fail to really move me, while those same paintings in real life cause my breath to quicken and my heart to beat stronger, and I honestly feel better about humanity as a whole after seeing Vincent's work. But, on these pages? Ehhh.
Still, that's not a reason to dock stars from the rating. I can hardly expect Taschen to include an original Van Gogh painting with each book, and even if they did it would probably put the retail price a biiiiiiiiit out of my range.
My real problem with the book itself is another inherent problem, this one inherent to art books as a whole. I am simply bored to death of people telling me what Vincent van Gogh (or any other artist) was trying to achieve.
This is an example of the interior writing, with the author here speaking of van Gogh's cornfield paintings.
"It was in order to offer the cornfield as a source of strength, as consolation in the despondency that inevitably accompanies suffering, that van Gogh painted his enclosed fields. For the time being, the dark horizon of sorrow is lost to view. The field and the horizon as metaphors of the simultaneity of comfort and grief as (when incorporated into paintings) central motifs in the pictures where van Gogh went furthest in locating paradox in spatial principles."
Wha?
There is only one type of artist who would ever step back from a canvas and, with an air of satisfaction, pronounce, "This painting is where I've gone the furthest in locating paradox in spatial principles." That type of artist is known, to me, as, "An Artist Who Needs A Smacking."
And yet the above example is but a small snippet, chosen at random. Such writing permeates the book, and is the chief reason why, about 20% of the way into the book, I began to skip large passages. Then, about 60% of the way into the book, I began to leap even larger passages. By the end of the book I was merely flipping through the pages, looking at the pretty pictures.
But, for all that, the picture sure are pretty.
The first is unfortunately inherent in van Gogh's work, and that is how printed facsimiles of his paintings never come close to the full register of color and sheer power of the originals. I was again and again taken by how his paintings, in this book, fail to really move me, while those same paintings in real life cause my breath to quicken and my heart to beat stronger, and I honestly feel better about humanity as a whole after seeing Vincent's work. But, on these pages? Ehhh.
Still, that's not a reason to dock stars from the rating. I can hardly expect Taschen to include an original Van Gogh painting with each book, and even if they did it would probably put the retail price a biiiiiiiiit out of my range.
My real problem with the book itself is another inherent problem, this one inherent to art books as a whole. I am simply bored to death of people telling me what Vincent van Gogh (or any other artist) was trying to achieve.
This is an example of the interior writing, with the author here speaking of van Gogh's cornfield paintings.
"It was in order to offer the cornfield as a source of strength, as consolation in the despondency that inevitably accompanies suffering, that van Gogh painted his enclosed fields. For the time being, the dark horizon of sorrow is lost to view. The field and the horizon as metaphors of the simultaneity of comfort and grief as (when incorporated into paintings) central motifs in the pictures where van Gogh went furthest in locating paradox in spatial principles."
Wha?
There is only one type of artist who would ever step back from a canvas and, with an air of satisfaction, pronounce, "This painting is where I've gone the furthest in locating paradox in spatial principles." That type of artist is known, to me, as, "An Artist Who Needs A Smacking."
And yet the above example is but a small snippet, chosen at random. Such writing permeates the book, and is the chief reason why, about 20% of the way into the book, I began to skip large passages. Then, about 60% of the way into the book, I began to leap even larger passages. By the end of the book I was merely flipping through the pages, looking at the pretty pictures.
But, for all that, the picture sure are pretty.
December 8, 2019
Not enough stars in the universe to rate this book adequately.. The works of the most incredible artist that ever lived in my opinion are all in this huge book and every page is pure bliss for me to enjoy..
I will always dip into this phenomenal book, it fills my heart with joy..
Perfect.
I will always dip into this phenomenal book, it fills my heart with joy..
Perfect.
March 25, 2023
«Era un hombre sincero y un gran artista, para él solo existían dos cosas: la humanidad y el arte. Pervivirá en el arte que él colocaba por encima de todo.»
Con estas palabras su amigo, el Dr Gachet, se despedía en el entierro de Vincent Van Gogh.
Conocía su historia muy por encima, y admiraba a aquel hombre sensible que a pesar de vivir un tormento en su interior, su insistencia en mostrar a los demás el mundo con el optimismo de un futuro mejor, era algo que no podía llegar a comprender.
Gracias a este maravilloso libro que reúne todas las obras en color del pintor, y un análisis y biografía detallada (pero que no es para nada denso, no se asusten), es posible comprender todas sus motivaciones, y sobre todo el suicidio final, que como no podía ser de otra manera, lo hizo pensando para el bien de los demás.
El padre del "modernismo" pintaba con la humildad de un autodidacta, observaba y luchaba por los más necesitados, intentando hacer la revolución.
«El arte, quiero decir, el arte oficial, junto con su formación, su dirección y organización, en la actualidad es débil y corrupto como la religión, cuya decadencia contemplamos.»
Con estas palabras su amigo, el Dr Gachet, se despedía en el entierro de Vincent Van Gogh.
Conocía su historia muy por encima, y admiraba a aquel hombre sensible que a pesar de vivir un tormento en su interior, su insistencia en mostrar a los demás el mundo con el optimismo de un futuro mejor, era algo que no podía llegar a comprender.
Gracias a este maravilloso libro que reúne todas las obras en color del pintor, y un análisis y biografía detallada (pero que no es para nada denso, no se asusten), es posible comprender todas sus motivaciones, y sobre todo el suicidio final, que como no podía ser de otra manera, lo hizo pensando para el bien de los demás.
El padre del "modernismo" pintaba con la humildad de un autodidacta, observaba y luchaba por los más necesitados, intentando hacer la revolución.
«El arte, quiero decir, el arte oficial, junto con su formación, su dirección y organización, en la actualidad es débil y corrupto como la religión, cuya decadencia contemplamos.»
February 4, 2022
Impressive...
February 22, 2012
These books are an invaluable resource to anyone studying Van Gogh, because they truly carry every painting and many of the sketches and drawings that the prolific Van Gogh did in his brief career. They are arranged in chronological order and that made them very useful as I was reading The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh, which are fascinating. (I've reviewed that as well.) These are large format, very heavy books on excellent paper - 300 pages or so in each volume. There have been complaints about the color reproduction but I find that to be a problem in all art in printed form and felt that the very comprehensiveness of these books outweighed any disparities in the color, which seemed minor to me. The writing is useful, though I took some of their thinking about Van Gogh as just one opinion. A lot of what's said about the work of any artist, or any novelist for that matter, is just guesswork and informed opinion - but some of the insights in it were very useful. I read the second volume more carefully than the first and found their theory about the factors contributing to Van Gogh's suicide very interesting. They present the possibility that one of the factors was raising the value of his own work in order to help his beloved brother Theo in a tough financial time just after his child, named after Vincent, was born. He wrote a letter to Theo just before his death about how the value of an artist's work goes up so significantly after he dies and he had been very troubled by his dependence on Theo's generous support throughout his artistic life. Given Van Gogh's romantic nature, it's an interesting possibility, along with all the more familiar factors, like the pain and humiliation of his previous "attacks." So, interesting ideas and a comprehensive collection of Van Gogh's works - I'd recommend the set.
September 2, 2023
Dit boek biedt heel veel. Vincent van Gogh is een van de beroemdste Nederlandse schilders. Toen hij leefde had hij nog weinig plezier van de roem. Hij verkocht zijn werk nauwelijks. Hij overleed in de zomer van 1890 door zelfdoding. Hij was toen 37. Zijn broer Theo was zijn grote steun en toeverlaat. Theo gaf zijn broer geld om van te leven en beheerde zijn werk. Vincent is eigenlijk maar een kleine tien jaar actief geweest als schilder maar was wel zeer productief. Rembrandt was ruim veertig jaar actief als schilder. In het boek staan alle ruim 800 schilderijen en tekeningen van van Gogh afgebeeld. Als je ze in het echt zou willen zien moet je de hele wereld door reizen. Gelukkig heeft Nederland in het van Goghmuseum en het Kroller Müller museum een belangrijk deel van zijn werk. Een belangrijke bron van informatie vormen de brieven van van Gogh zelf. Hij schreef vele honderden brieven, aan onder meer zijn broer Theo, waarin hij inging op zijn werk. Vincent maakte een enorme ontwikkeling door en bleef creatief tot zijn zelfgekozen dood. Na zijn dood werd hij pas echt beroemd en werd zijn werk veel geld waard. Ook zijn broer Theo kon daar niet van profiteren, hij stierf een half jaar na Vincent. Zijn weduwe Jo heeft de nalatenschap goed beheerd. Het boek is een monumentaal werk dat veel inzicht en kennis biedt in leven en werk van Vincent van Gogh.
April 20, 2016
I truly admire the author's tremendous effort and great works on incorporating Vincent van Gogh's painting style and his life mainly based on the letters with his brother Theo chronically. It is a great dedication that the author relates Gogh's mind based on the letter to derive his evolving painting styles over his life.
I'm a big fan of Gogh's paintings that I always try to find his paintings in every art museum I go so I'm already acknowledged somehow that Gogh's works were not widely recognized in his contemporary at all compared to his posthumous reputation. By quoting a lot of his letters throughout this book, the book stimulates the readers to view Vincent van Gogh as a person more than a famous Dutch painter in the 19th century who had been through financial, mental and professional hardship until he eventually committed suicide. After reading this book, I kinda feel loneliness at the same time in "Starry Night Over the Rhone" as it was the time when Gogh was living in France apart from his affable brother, Theo(The painting is painstakingly beautiful when you see it in Musee d'Orsay). The starlights reflecting the river looks extraordinarily marvelous in the lonely painter's eyes which might be just ordinary scenery to people around that area.
I highly recommend this book to people who wants to know more thoroughly about Vincent van Gogh.
I'm a big fan of Gogh's paintings that I always try to find his paintings in every art museum I go so I'm already acknowledged somehow that Gogh's works were not widely recognized in his contemporary at all compared to his posthumous reputation. By quoting a lot of his letters throughout this book, the book stimulates the readers to view Vincent van Gogh as a person more than a famous Dutch painter in the 19th century who had been through financial, mental and professional hardship until he eventually committed suicide. After reading this book, I kinda feel loneliness at the same time in "Starry Night Over the Rhone" as it was the time when Gogh was living in France apart from his affable brother, Theo(The painting is painstakingly beautiful when you see it in Musee d'Orsay). The starlights reflecting the river looks extraordinarily marvelous in the lonely painter's eyes which might be just ordinary scenery to people around that area.
I highly recommend this book to people who wants to know more thoroughly about Vincent van Gogh.
March 24, 2016
Non solamente i dipinti meravigliosi, ma anche una prosa incredibile hanno contribuito al mio voto finale -non che non sapessi già in partenza che sarebbe stato questo.
Nonostante il mio interesse per Van Gogh, temevo che sarebbe stata una lettura un po' prolissa (è pur sempre una monografia di 700 pagine, non esattamente qualcosa di leggero). Invece, non nego di essere rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa dal modo in cui gli autori hanno costruito il testo, niente affatto banale e ricco di interessanti spunti di riflessione.
Davvero una esperienza piacevolissima.
Nonostante il mio interesse per Van Gogh, temevo che sarebbe stata una lettura un po' prolissa (è pur sempre una monografia di 700 pagine, non esattamente qualcosa di leggero). Invece, non nego di essere rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa dal modo in cui gli autori hanno costruito il testo, niente affatto banale e ricco di interessanti spunti di riflessione.
Davvero una esperienza piacevolissima.
November 20, 2017
Vincent Van Gogh, a perfectionist without a doubt.
For starters his story holds so much, everyone would know him as the Man who has a severed ear, but he’s so much more than that. His letters are the reason why you should start knowing him better, he’s a deliberate artist, him and his extraordinary mind, he would just pick up a brush and paint with no care in the world. His drawings knocks me off my feat every-time, his choice of colors and textures, astounding. He deserved so much, it saddens me to say that he died in vain, heres to a world where Van Gogh is appreciated and loved.
For starters his story holds so much, everyone would know him as the Man who has a severed ear, but he’s so much more than that. His letters are the reason why you should start knowing him better, he’s a deliberate artist, him and his extraordinary mind, he would just pick up a brush and paint with no care in the world. His drawings knocks me off my feat every-time, his choice of colors and textures, astounding. He deserved so much, it saddens me to say that he died in vain, heres to a world where Van Gogh is appreciated and loved.
June 17, 2010
Vincent is by far the most imaginative, passionate, witty and influential painter ever lived, and very souful, helpful, empathetic and hardworking man- a real human being- fantastic artists and amazing personality.
The work by Mr Metzger and his collegues is complete, amazing and essential for everybody interested in paintings like me. Afficionados go first, of course.
The work by Mr Metzger and his collegues is complete, amazing and essential for everybody interested in paintings like me. Afficionados go first, of course.
May 27, 2019
Oh wow.
This is tremendously impressive .
This is tremendously impressive .
June 27, 2024
Like anyone who has taken more than half a passing glance at visual art, I'd seen Van Gogh's most famous paintings many times and in many contexts over the years. He and Pulp Fiction kept the dorm room poster industry in business (at least back in the 90s when I was in college). And of course, variations of the story about his ear and his attendant mental illness are legendary, mythic almost. And I picked up a copy of his letters well over a decade ago after reading some quotes from it. It sat there unread, the past couple years accompanied by this two volume set I got at Mr. K's on store credit.
I've been reading them alongside each other over the past month and a half or so (the letters have slowed down due to prepping to talk about Circe by Madeline Miller on a podcast, but I hope to finish them soon, I'm about 4/5ths through), and it is an illuminating and enjoyable experience. Aside from a couple of what appear to be bad edits and a contradiction between two sections, the biography/art criticism part of this was pretty good overall, and very good as table setting.
But of course, you read this for the pictures, and they are fantastic. Now that I've read the extensive text, I doubt I'll revisit it other than to reference something, but having the context they provide, I'll be staring at the paintings often.
I like the portraits and especially the landscapes and hospital paintings more than the still lifes with a couple exceptions. I can see why he's as influential as he is. Great stuff.
Highly recommended!
I've been reading them alongside each other over the past month and a half or so (the letters have slowed down due to prepping to talk about Circe by Madeline Miller on a podcast, but I hope to finish them soon, I'm about 4/5ths through), and it is an illuminating and enjoyable experience. Aside from a couple of what appear to be bad edits and a contradiction between two sections, the biography/art criticism part of this was pretty good overall, and very good as table setting.
But of course, you read this for the pictures, and they are fantastic. Now that I've read the extensive text, I doubt I'll revisit it other than to reference something, but having the context they provide, I'll be staring at the paintings often.
I like the portraits and especially the landscapes and hospital paintings more than the still lifes with a couple exceptions. I can see why he's as influential as he is. Great stuff.
Highly recommended!
December 13, 2018
Nje veper arti. Kompzimi i librit eshte po aq i magjishem sa pikturat e tij. Jeta e nje njeriu te turbulluar, i cili shpalos gjithe boten e tij shpirterore ne telajo. Cdo informacion i mundshem mbi Vincent Van Gogh, jeta, pikturat, pervoja, udhetimet... Gjuthçka...! Nje liber magjik!!!
March 17, 2017
I was having withdrawal symptoms from Amsterdam, and decided to read this. A beautiful collection, which would be a perfect gift, and a wonderful coffee table book to dip in and out of.
December 25, 2019
Wonderfully detailed insight into Van Gogh's life and work that I finished just in time before a visit to his museum in Amsterdam, which was absolutely amazing!
February 18, 2025
Bellissima descrizione della vita e delle opere di questo artista.
October 17, 2017
(it's been 2 years! I did it!)
the book is highly informative, which is not surprising considering it's over 700p long.
the book is highly informative, which is not surprising considering it's over 700p long.
April 7, 2020
Beautifully printed, and excellent with an equal emphasis on biographical detail and artistic analysis. My only criticism is that the text isn’t well lined up with the plates, so it’s common to be reading a detailed discussion of a piece that’s is 50 pages ahead or back in the text. Lots of flipping, but a truly excellent book.
April 11, 2019
Just to be clear: generally speaking, this book is amazing: it collects all his surviving paintings, in overall good quality reproductions. It presents the paintings chronologically, and has an extensive biographical text, zooming in on all of Van Gogh's life phases. While the first edition is already 30 years old, powerhouse Taschen has put out a new, shiny edition that's easily available, and under 30 euros… Really! Best bargain ever!!
If you are interested in Van Gogh, you might be interested in the things that struck me most while reading - I list those at the end of this review.
First, I want to address some minor issues for those that might be interested in buying this book, although I have to say, given the price, none of those should even stop you to consider getting out your wallet.
(...)
Please read the full review on Weighing A Pig Doesn't Fatten it.
If you are interested in Van Gogh, you might be interested in the things that struck me most while reading - I list those at the end of this review.
First, I want to address some minor issues for those that might be interested in buying this book, although I have to say, given the price, none of those should even stop you to consider getting out your wallet.
(...)
Please read the full review on Weighing A Pig Doesn't Fatten it.
March 30, 2025
[eng]
A beautiful way to get to know van Gogh and more about his work.
[spa]
Hermosa manera de conocer la vida y obra de van Gogh.
A beautiful way to get to know van Gogh and more about his work.
[spa]
Hermosa manera de conocer la vida y obra de van Gogh.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews