Simon Schama's Power of Art (2006)

Episode Overview

Vincent van Gogh, born in Groot-Zundert, The Netherlands, initially worked as an art dealer, teacher, and preacher across England, Holland, and Belgium. His artistic journey began in 1881 when he decided to pursue art in Brussels, starting with watercolors before transitioning to oils. The French countryside significantly shaped his early work, characterized by dark, earthy tones that often portrayed peasant life, with "The Potato Eaters" (1885) being particularly notable. While studying in Paris from 1886 to 1888, he honed his distinctive brushwork and vibrant color palette. In 1888, he relocated to Arles, inspired by the Provençal landscape, but this period also marked the onset of his mental health struggles, exacerbated by a conflict with Paul Gauguin. Van Gogh was admitted to a mental asylum in 1889, where he continued creating art until his tragic suicide in 1890.