Short Biography of Vincent van Gogh

If you would like to read a short biography of Vincent van Gogh, this timeline of the famous Dutch painter’s life highlights the key dates and events that shaped his artistic career.

While this summary provides an overview of Van Gogh’s life, exploring his full biography offers a deeper insight into his artistic journey, personal struggles and remarkable contribution to the history of art.

Read the full, detailed biography of Vincent van Gogh here.

Vincent van Gogh: Key Dates in His Life

1853: Vincent van Gogh was born on 30 March in Groot-Zundert, in the Netherlands.

1869: At the age of 16, he began working for the art dealership Goupil & Cie in The Hague.

1873: Van Gogh was transferred to the firm's London branch, where his personal interests and emotional experiences began to shape his outlook on life and art.

1877: He moved to Amsterdam to study theology, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.

1878: He attended evangelical training in Brussels as he pursued his ambition of becoming a Protestant minister.

1881: Van Gogh returned to The Hague, where he developed his artistic skills through drawing and watercolour painting.

1886: He moved to Paris, where he encountered leading artists of the avant-garde, including Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

1888: Van Gogh left Paris for the south of France and settled in Arles. Paul Gauguin joined him for a short period, but a serious disagreement between the two artists preceded the incident in which Van Gogh mutilated his left ear.

1889: Van Gogh voluntarily entered the asylum at Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where he continued to paint some of his most celebrated works.

1890: After leaving Saint-Rémy, he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris. He suffered a gunshot wound on 27 July and died two days later, on 29 July, aged 37.

The Life of Vincent van Gogh: A Short Biography

Vincent van Gogh was born on 30 March 1853 in the village of Groot-Zundert in the Netherlands. The son of a Protestant minister, he began working at the age of 16 for the art dealership Goupil & Cie in The Hague, where he developed an interest in art.

In 1873, he was transferred to the company's London branch. Following an emotional disappointment, he moved to Paris in 1875, where he continued working for the art dealership. During this period, his interest in religion and art grew, although his career in the art trade eventually came to an end.

In 1877, Van Gogh moved to Amsterdam to study theology. Like his father and grandfather, he hoped to become a minister.

In 1878, he pursued evangelical training in Brussels. The following year, in 1879, he worked as a missionary in the Borinage mining district of Belgium. However, his religious career did not last, and he eventually decided to devote himself to art. His religious beliefs and his compassion for ordinary working people would continue to influence his artistic vision.

In 1880, Van Gogh began to focus more seriously on drawing and artistic study. He moved to Brussels, where he developed his skills and studied art, receiving guidance and support from fellow artist Anthon van Rappard.

In 1881, he returned to The Hague and fell in love with Clasina Maria Hoornik, known as Sien. Their relationship was complicated, and he eventually left her in 1883 to pursue his artistic development.

Van Gogh subsequently travelled to the Dutch province of Drenthe before returning to Nuenen, where his parents lived. He continued to explore rural life and the everyday experiences of working people, subjects that would become central to his early paintings.

In 1885, his father died. During the same year, Van Gogh created The Potato Eaters, one of his best-known early paintings. Despite his dedication and growing artistic ambition, he struggled to sell his work. His brother Theo, who worked in the art trade, provided him with financial and emotional support throughout much of his career.

In 1886, Van Gogh moved to Paris, where he encountered new artistic movements and developed his understanding of colour and contemporary painting. He met artists including Émile Bernard, Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. His exposure to Impressionism and other modern approaches helped transform his style.

In February 1888, Van Gogh left Paris for Arles in the south of France. The region's bright light and vibrant colours inspired him to create some of his most famous paintings. Later that year, Gauguin joined him in the hope of establishing an artistic community. However, tensions between the two men culminated in a serious argument, after which Van Gogh mutilated part of his left ear.

You can learn more about this episode in the article Why did Van Gogh cut off his ear?.

In 1889, Van Gogh voluntarily admitted himself to the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Despite periods of severe distress, he continued painting and produced remarkable works, including The Starry Night. His time in the asylum became an important chapter in his artistic development.

In May 1890, he left Saint-Rémy and moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, where he came under the care of Dr Paul Gachet and continued to paint prolifically.

On 27 July 1890, Van Gogh sustained a gunshot wound. He died on 29 July, aged 37, with his brother Theo by his side.

Although he achieved limited commercial success during his lifetime, Vincent van Gogh went on to become one of the most influential artists in Western art history. His expressive brushwork, bold use of colour and deeply personal approach to painting continue to inspire artists and art lovers around the world.