The Unknown Van Gogh: The Life of Cornelis van Gogh, from the Netherlands to South Africa

by Chris Schoeman

The Unknown Van Gogh tells the story of Cornelis van Gogh, youngest brother of Vincent and Theo van Gogh. Using new insights based on original research, the book traces the circumstances of Cornelius's short life, from his pleasant childhood in the Netherlands, to his work in the gold-mining industry in the Transvaal Republic following his move to South Africa in 1889. The particulars of Cor's strained relationship with his famous brother are given, and his participation on the Boer side in the Anglo-Boer War is mapped out in greater detail, including his tragic demise in a hospital in Brandfort – one that holds a troubling resemblance to Vincent’s own tragic end. Chris Schoeman’s biography of the lesser-known Van Gogh brother reveals a side of art history never before explored with such scrutiny, recreating the last decade of nineteenth-century South Africa, and providing fresh analysis on a family that continues to intrigue both historians and the general public.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2015

About the author

In boeiende vertelstyl laat Chris Schoeman met sy deeglike navorsing gebeure uit die Suid-Afrikaanse geskiedenis wat nie durf verlore gaan nie, herleef én voortleef. Sy boeke sluit Churchill’s South Africa: Travels during the Anglo-Boer War, The Historical Karoo, Angels of Mercy: Foreign Women in the Anglo-Boer War, Brothers in Arms: Hollanders in the Anglo-Boer War, Vegter en Balling: Boereoorlog-ervarings van veldkornet Charles von Maltitz en Os: Die Outobiografie in. Rebel, die lewe van kommandant Hans Lötter het in 2019 by Pretoria Boekhuis verskyn.

Reviews

[Alta Cloete · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wat my die meeste opval, is die geweldige hoeveelheid navorsing wat in hierdie boek moes ingegaan het. Daarvan getuig die uitgebreide verwysingslys, bibliografie en indeks agter in die boek.
Verder sal ek weer besef dat toegewyde ouers ongelukkig nie hulle kinders se geluk in hulle volwasse lewe kan waarborg nie. Die familie se verhaal is werklik baie hartseer. Mens wonder oor die spekulasie dat o.a. Vincent en Cor dalk aan 'n oorerflike kwaal kon gely het wat hulle keuses beinvloed het. Maar dis veral die suster Willemien se lot wat my aan die hart gegryp het.
As jy hou van geskiedenis en die verhale van gewone mense, lees dit. As jy opwindende of opbeurende leesstof soek, hou liewer verby.

[Karlien]

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