Vincent van Gogh een leven

by Philip Callow

More searchingly than any earlier biographer, Philip Callow explores the development of Van Gogh's genius and his emergence as an artist after early struggles to find a vocation, first in the world of art dealing and later as an evangelical missionary among Belgian miners. Using the skills and psychological insights of an accomplished novelist, and drawing upon new Van Gogh materials which have surfaced in the last two decades, Mr. Callow sets a turbulent life story firmly in historical context, including Vincent's desperate attempts to accept his repressive religious upbringing, and his unhappy experiences in love. Here is Van Gogh's life in all its tumult, a portrait of a legend breaking out of the triumph and confusion of nineteenth-century culture - at the same time representing it uniquely. This is perhaps the story of a saint, certainly a hero of art.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Art

1000 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

British novelist, poet, and biographer.

Reviews

[Florence Millo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could weep for his unhappiness. What a genius but how tormented. I wish the book had a little less artistic interpretation though. This is the first biography of Van Gogh so I don't have anything to compare it with. I would think there are better biographies of him out there though.

[Cat Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times reading like a dry history textbook then veering into colorful descriptive prose, Callow’s bio seemed schizophrenic.

Along with the authors interpretive points were the well known parts of Van Gogh’s timeline in life. Callow spends the majority of the book in the early life then hastily writes of the final years when the artist was most prolific and prone to madness.

From prior bios we know Vincent was a voracious reader. This book identifies specific tomes he loved, like Uncle Toms Cabin, and authors like George Eliot and anything by Dickens. This was appreciated.

A good offering in a sea of exploration in the mind and talents of Vincent Van Gogh...

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am very disappointed in this book. I wish there were more Vincent biographies. I was hoping for a straightforward, informational biography of Vincent, but this one... I couldn't even finish. And I always finish everything. Although, after skipping around, I was able to find interesting facts about Van Gogh which I didn't know before. I can't say this book is all bad.

[Julie McKnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

While informative, the tone of the writing was more influenced by the author's interpretation of van Gogh's life and work rather than offering an objective account of historical information regarding the man himself. While I was able to glean the timeline of major life events in van Gogh's life, it seemed this composed only about a third of the book.

[Peter Hoopman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book that made the man and the artist palpable, the struggle of being you, seeming different then the rest. Almost no-one seems to understand you and knowing that you not really understand yourself, that you somehow accepted to go to unknown territory and still living in the same world with all its cultural references conscious and unconscious. I enjoyed this book !!!

Philip Callow permits himself quite some psychological interpretation but in general it is well done, subjectively said. Only one or two times I had something in me saying, whooh how can you 'know' this and the I tried to keep it open.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, enlightening, but had extensive interpretation overlaying facts. Author presented very bleak imagery which contributed to making this a drudge to read. I gave this to a college student fan of Van Gogh and made her promise to limit her reading of this and then spend time with cheerful friends. I would have liked to have seen images of the drawings and paintings to which he referred within the context of his history.

[Syqamor Sun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The prose was rich, I loved the interpretations of Van Gogh's pieces in correlation with his life. I learned a lot about him that I didn't know before, such as his romantic prospects, his history with the church, his spiritual path, and details of the progression of his mental decline.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful biography of Van Gogh. Finally I understand his paintings and his pain. A very easy read... I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in Van Gogh, not only as a painter but also as a human being.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all, this is a book about the life of van Gogh more so than a critic of his art alone. Very informative and well researched/written. When it comes to biographical writing, this is an easy and enjoyable read.

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

very sad book. so much information. a bit too much