March 30, 1853, 160 years ago, Vincent van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, Holland. Though his work was unappreciated in his time, he would become one of the most recognized artists in modern times. Considered a Post-Impressionist, the bright colors with sharp contrasts, heavy brush strokes, layers of thick paint, confrontational directness and passionate style…
One of Van Gogh’s first watercolors was Coalmine in the Borinage, completed sometime between July-August of 1879. In January of 1879, Van Gogh had taken a temporary post as a missionary lay preacher in Petit Wasmes and Cuesmes, villages in the coal mining district of Borinage, Belgium. Van Gogh was completely committed to helping the…
From 1881 to November of 1885 Van Gogh lived in the Netherlands. It was during this time that he had a humanitarian outlook on life and spent a good deal of his time painting peasants and workers. He had an attachment and sympathy for the working class and found the subjects noble, simple and honest. …
