Elena Rossi
Vincent van Gogh is considered one of the greatest painters of all time, yet he only took up painting in his late twenties. Before that, he worked as an art dealer, language teacher, lay preacher, bookseller, and missionary worker. Van Gogh's career as an artist lasted only ten years, from 1880 to 1890, and he sold only one painting during his lifetime. However, his innovative and unique artistic style revolutionized artistic practices and influenced many artists who followed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of creation | 1881 |
| Medium | Watercolors and oils |
| Style | Dutch style with somber earth tones and a rich splash of color |
| Genre | Still life and landscape |
| Subject matter | Cabbage and clogs, and a view of the sea at Scheveningen |
| Artist's age | 28 |
| Artist's location | The Hague |
| Artist's occupation | Apprentice at his uncle's branch of Goupil & Cie, an art dealership |
| Artist's influences | Anton Mauve |
| Artist's technique | Attention to detail, with hints of genius that would emerge in later paintings |
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What You'll Learn
Van Gogh's first paintings were created in the early 1880s
Vincent van Gogh's first paintings were created in the early 1880s, marking the start of a 10-year artistic career that would revolutionize artistic practice and styles. Van Gogh's early works, from 1881 to 1883, reflect a novice's attention to detail, along with hints of the genius that would emerge in his later masterpieces. During this formative period, he studied under Anton Mauve, a master at The Hague School of Art, who introduced him to watercolours and oils, broadening his artistic expression.
Van Gogh's early works are characterised by a somber palette, with earth tones reflecting the Dutch style of the time. One of his first paintings, 'Still Life with Cabbage and Clogs', showcases this colour choice while also featuring a rich splash of colour, a precursor to the brilliant style he would later develop. Completed in August 1882, his early landscape painting, 'View of the Sea at Scheveningen', captures the realism of the scene, with grains of sand from stormy weather embedded in the oils.
Van Gogh's residence in The Hague from 1882 to 1883 was a productive period where he honed his technique and explored new subjects. He received his first commissions for cityscape drawings of The Hague from his uncle, an art dealer. During this time, he also created 'Bulb Fields', a landscape painting that demonstrates his emerging ability to use light and colour expressively, a technique that would become prominent in his later work.
In 1885, Van Gogh produced his first major work, 'The Potato Eaters', along with a series of "peasant character studies". By this time, he had already created numerous paintings and drawings, with his career as a painter beginning in earnest a few years earlier. Van Gogh's artistic genius, distinctive style, and unique artistic vision contributed to his enduring legacy in the art world, despite his works not gaining widespread appreciation during his lifetime.
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He was influenced by Rembrandt, Hals, Millet and Corot
It is believed that Vincent van Gogh's first painting was completed in 1881 and was titled 'Sower'. This work was inspired by Jean-François Millet's piece of the same name.
Van Gogh was heavily influenced by the works of Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Millet, and Corot. In a letter to his brother, Theo, Van Gogh expressed his admiration for Rembrandt and Hals, stating: "Longing most of all for Rembrandt and Frans Hals, one day this week I’m going to the museum in Amsterdam with a friend of mine from Eindhoven whose studies I once showed you." He also studied Rembrandt's technique extensively, as evidenced by his letter from 10 October 1885, where he wrote: "I've been to Amsterdam this week—I hardly had time to see anything but the museum. I was there 3 days; went Tuesday, back Thursday." Van Gogh was particularly fascinated by the flesh colours in Rembrandt's 'The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp', and he also referenced Rembrandt's use of black in his paintings.
Van Gogh's appreciation for Frans Hals is evident in his letter to Theo, where he praised Hals' unique painting style that deviated from the smooth finish prevalent among his contemporaries. Instead, Hals utilised smears, lines, spots, and large patches of colour with minimal details, capturing the vitality of his subjects.
Millet's work also left a significant impression on Van Gogh, particularly his depictions of peasant life. Van Gogh aspired to create his own interpretations of Millet's themes, such as harvest scenes and sowers. He made several studies inspired by Millet's 'Sower' and even copied the work multiple times before developing his own personal version.
While there is no specific mention of Corot's direct influence on Van Gogh, Corot was a pivotal figure in landscape painting, bridging Neo-Classical tradition and Impressionism. Corot's work influenced many notable artists, including Claude Monet, Degas, and Picasso, so it is possible that Van Gogh also drew inspiration from his style.
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His first major work was 'The Potato Eaters'
Vincent van Gogh is considered one of history's greatest painters and a major contributor to the foundations of modern art. He is known for his striking colour palette, emphatic brushwork, and contoured forms. Van Gogh's career as a painter was short, lasting only about ten years, from 1880 to 1890.
Van Gogh's first major work was 'The Potato Eaters', completed in 1885. This painting was the culmination of several years of work and marked a productive period in the artist's life. It was created during his time in Nuenen, North Brabant, in the south of the Netherlands. The painting is a testament to Van Gogh's expressive use of light and colour, which would become prominent in his later works.
'The Potato Eaters' was also accompanied by a series of "peasant character studies". This theme of peasants and their labour was one that Van Gogh returned to often, as seen in his later works like 'The Sower' and 'The Reaper'. The artist had a deep empathy for the working class, which is evident in his choice to depict them in his art.
Van Gogh's early works, from 1881 to 1883, reflect a novice's attention to detail, along with hints of the genius that would emerge in his later paintings. During this period, he received his first commissions for cityscape drawings of The Hague. He also produced landscapes, such as 'Bulb Fields', which showcase his expressive use of light and colour.
Van Gogh's artistic genius is often overshadowed by the narrative of his troubled mind. However, his unique artistic style had a profound influence on the art of the twentieth century, and he left behind a legacy of over 2,000 artworks, including around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches.
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He sold only one painting during his lifetime
Vincent van Gogh's career as a painter was short, lasting only about a decade, from 1880 to 1890. During this time, he created approximately 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of them in the last two years of his life. Van Gogh's oeuvre includes landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and self-portraits, most of which are characterised by bold colours and dramatic brushwork that contributed to the rise of expressionism in modern art.
Despite the immense influence Van Gogh's work exerted on the development of modern painting, notably Expressionism, and his status as one of the greatest Post-Impressionists, he sold only one painting in his lifetime, according to some sources. This painting is commonly believed to be "The Red Vineyard at Arles (or "The Vigne Rouge"), purchased by Anna Boch, a Belgian artist and art collector and the sister of Vincent's friend Eugène Boch, in early 1890. The work is now housed in the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow.
However, there are conflicting theories regarding the sale of Van Gogh's paintings during his lifetime. While "The Red Vineyard" may have been the only painting officially recorded and acknowledged by the art world, other sources suggest that Van Gogh's brother, Theo, an art dealer, sold a self-portrait by Vincent over a year before the sale of "The Red Vineyard". This theory is based on a letter from October 3, 1888, in which Theo informed London art dealers, Sulley and Lori, that he had sent them two purchased paintings, including a landscape by Camille Corot.
Furthermore, Van Gogh's first commission came from his uncle Cor, an art dealer who ordered 19 cityscapes of The Hague. Van Gogh also frequently traded his paintings for food or art supplies, especially during his younger years, which can be considered a form of selling or bartering.
Van Gogh's work gained widespread critical and commercial success in the decades following his death, and he has become a lasting icon of the romantic ideal of the tortured artist. Today, his paintings are among the world's most expensive artworks ever sold.
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His early works reflect a novice's attention to detail
A search engine query reveals that one of the first paintings commonly attributed to Vincent van Gogh is still life with dark earth and bottles (1884). This early work demonstrates a marked departure from the vibrant and expressive style that would later define his iconic post-impressionist period. Instead, it showcases a novice's attention to detail and a more restrained approach to color and brushwork.
The still life depicts a simple arrangement of bottles and earthenware on a table, with a background of dark, earthy tones. The objects are carefully rendered, with a focus on precise outlines and a subtle buildup of tones to create a sense of volume. The brushwork is relatively tight and controlled, especially when compared to the loose and dynamic style of his later work.
This early painting reflects Van Gogh's initial exploration of the principles of painting. He was teaching himself at the time, and this piece demonstrates a careful study of form, light, and shadow. The composition is simple and balanced, with the objects arranged symmetrically and the dark background creating a sense of depth. The limited palette of mostly earthy tones and subdued colors also reflects a novice's hand, as Van Gogh had not yet fully explored the expressive use of color that would become a hallmark of his later style.
While the painting demonstrates a clear attention to detail and a careful study of form, it lacks the emotional intensity and unique perspective that Van Gogh's later works are renowned for. This early still life shows an artist in the process of learning and developing their craft, experimenting with techniques, and building a foundation of skills that would eventually be honed and transformed into a revolutionary style.
Despite the restrained and studied nature of this early work, there are hints of the unique vision and emotional power that would come to define Van Gogh's art. The composition, with its focus on humble, everyday objects, and the use of dark, somber tones, hints at the artist's interest in conveying a sense of humanity and the beauty in the ordinary. Thus, even in this novice work, we can see the beginnings of Van Gogh's ability to infuse his paintings with a profound sense of emotion and a unique perspective on the world.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear which painting was the first by Vincent van Gogh. His earliest works were completed between 1881 and 1883, and his first major painting was 'The Potato Eaters' in 1885.
Vincent van Gogh began drawing seriously in 1880 after experiencing a spiritual crisis. He decided that his mission was to bring consolation to humanity through art.
Van Gogh's paintings are known for their striking colour, emphatic brushwork, and contoured forms.
Van Gogh only sold one artwork during his lifetime, 'The Red Vineyard', bought by the painter and art collector Anna Boch. However, today some of his most famous paintings include 'Sunflowers', 'The Starry Night', and 'Self-Portrait'.
