Artist, visionary, madman, Van Gogh's passionate intensity is perhaps unequaled in the annals of art. Over the course of just a few years he created a body of work that remains unparalleled in its power and immediacy.
Pascal Bonafoux is a French writer, novelist, art critic and art historian, a specialist in self-portraiture. He collaborates with various newspapers and magazines, he is the author of numerous essays dedicated to art and was a resident at the French Academy in Rome. He is professor of art history at Paris 8 University, and is also a curator who organises exhibitions either in France or abroad.
Excellent book, with large reproductions of paintings of good quality, that creates a portrait of Vincent Van Gogh through his own words (in the form of letters), sketches, and paintings. While I was surprised to see some information and classic paintings such as the Irises (now at the Getty) missing (although there is a description of the painting), and having seeing one the paintings included, I think maybe the colors in some of the reproductions are perhaps a bit off (though I can't be sure), but if you aren't expecting this book to the be the be-all and end-all book on Van Gogh, you'll find it a fascinating and insightful journey.
The reproductions that are printed in this book are so detailed that I can really see the textures in the paint from his brushstrokes. This book also has many paintings I haven't seen before. It also has a detailed history of his life. Van Gogh is truly a master of colour, and his use of complementary colours is astounding.