Vincent Van Gogh was a post-Impressionist painter born in 1853 who created over 2,000 works between 1880-1890. While many of his paintings during this time were dark and realistic like the styles of his contemporaries, Van Gogh was truly an expressionist who painted with feelings and impressions using bright colors and visible brush strokes. Although his works were not appreciated during his lifetime, he is now considered a master painter and his works are famous worldwide, with one painting recently selling for $90 million.

1. Vincent Van Gogh
“I dream my paintings,
then I paint my dreams”

2. This is Vincent Van Gogh. Vincent was born in 1853.
He painted and drew from 1880 to 1890.
He created over 2000 works of art.
What can you learn about Vincent Van Gogh
when you look at his self portraits?

3. Many of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings were dark and
realistic. They looked like a real photograph. It was rare
to have your photograph taken during this time period.
Whistler’s Mother 1871

4. See his painting?
It is dark like this
other painting by
someone else…
A Girl In A Wood 1882
By the River Early
William Morris Hunt 1850
Vincent tried
really hard to
paint the way
everyone else was
painting. You
couldn’t see brush
strokes. Dark
colors were used.

5. …but this is what was in his heart. Is it dark?
Does it look realistic? Can you see brush strokes?
Bedroom At Arles 1887

6. Do you think that people of this time period liked
Vincent’s paintings?
The Night Café 1888

7. Vincent was very
poor. His brother,
Theo, helped him buy
paint to paint with.
Theo believed in
Vincent’s talent.
Café Terrace At Night 1888

8. Vincent was an expressionist. He painted his own
impression and used stretched shapes, bright colors,
and painted with his feelings.
Starry Night Over Rhone 1888

9. Vincent’s best paintings were done in the last two years of
his life. Do you see his feelings here?
Starry Night 1889

10. Today, we see Vincent Van Gogh as a great
master painter. His art is famous all around the world.
Iris 1889

11. This is believed to be Vincent’s last painting.
He died when he was 37 years old.
He never sold a single painting in his life.
Wheat Fields With Crows 1890

12. In recent years, this painting sold for $90,000,000.00.
Self Portrait With Banged Ear

13. This self portrait can be seen at the
United States National Art Gallery in Washington DC
Self Portrait 1889

14. Now we will do a
project like
expressionists.
Let’s make it with your
OWN style!!!
Sunflowers 1888