Profile of the Day: Vincent van Gogh

Today we remember Vincent van Gogh, who died on July 29, 1890. Although he is widely considered to be one of the most influential painters of the 20th century, van Gogh was virtually unknown during his lifetime.

Image: Vincent van Gogh / Wikimedia Commons

Vincent Willem van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853 in Zundert, Netherlands to Theodorus van Gogh, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, and Anna Cornelia Carbentus. The eldest of six children, van Gogh had a very close relationship to his brother Theo. His younger brother often provided him with financial support so that he could devote himself entirely to painting.

A prolific painter, van Gogh created about 2,100 works of art, including over 850 oil paintings. Many of these included landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and self-portraits. However, van Gogh did not find any commercial success during his lifetime. After years of suffering from frequent bouts of mental illness, van Gogh died at the age of 37 from a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. Today his work is revered for its rough beauty, emotional honesty, and bold color. He is remembered as one of the most famous and influential painters in history.

Explore Vincent van Gogh’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected to the artist.

View Vincent van Gogh’s Geni Profile