2021 seems to be Vincent van Gogh ’s yr . There are at leastfive differenttraveling interactional exhibits in about 40 U.S. cities where the great unwashed flock to literally immerse themselves in his words and works . Some assign this current van Gogh craze toa scene in the Netflix show"Emily in Paris " which contract position in a " Starry Night " light show . Others mean that people are simplylooking for new experiencesafter a year of pandemic closing off .
From famous pieces like " The Starry Night " and " Cafe Terrace at Night " to a litany of ego - portraiture ( some of which include depictions of his famously self - maimed spike ) , van Gogh ’s portfolio is overpowering in its grandness . It ’s staggering to think that he soldonly a few paintingsin his lifetime , and for little sums of money , yet in 2017 his painting " Laboureur Dans Un Champ"sold for over $ 81 million .
So , how did this now - iconic painter escape mainstream attention during his life-time ?
For starters , van Gogh was famously outlandish , which did n’t translate well into his " solar day line of work " as an art bargainer . " We get the feeling that Vincent did not excel at sales . He was a unsuccessful person as an art monger at Goupil [ a fine art dealer ] . It is said Vincent was fired from Goupil for not being sufficiently cordial to clients , " say Nadine Granoff , director of research forVan Gogh Experts , a van Gogh authentication and appraisal society , in an email interview . This could have burned bridge and call on possible buyers off to his own works in the short term . " He plausibly seemed a piece eccentric in the public of commercialism , " she add together .
It ’s also possible that van Gogh simply did n’t hold up long enough to see all his concentrated study pay off . He give out in 1890two days after he shot himself in the dresser with a six-shooter at the age of 37 ( althoughsome later news report postulatehe was murdered ) . Thus ended a lifetime plagued with epileptic seizures and debilitating psychotic episode . As the Van Gogh Museumwebsite notes , at the time of his death , " he was unsettled about the future and feel that he had failed , as a man and as an artist . Even though he was , in fact , starting to get recognition for his work . "
Indeed , although he had betray and traded whole kit and boodle throughout his vocation ( sometimes for nutrient or art supplies ) , the final two years of his living saw increased recognition amongst the avant - garde and inclusion in some exhibits in Paris and Brussels , says Hans Luijten , senior investigator at theVan Gogh Museum . Still , this success level was a far cry from the household name that van Gogh is today . So , what happened ?
Enter Johanna van Gogh-Bonger
Six months after Vincent kick the bucket , his beloved brother Theo passed away of complications from syphilis . This was extra tragic because " Theo want nothing more than to raise the profile of his brother ’s work , " Luijten say by electronic mail . Fortunately , Vincent still had a unnerving champion in his recess ─ ─ Theo ’s married woman Johanna .
Interestingly , Johanna van Gogh - Bonger ─ ─ substantially known as Jo ─ ─ only became part of the van Gogh tribe in 1889 , shortly before Vincent ’s end . suffer in 1862 , Jo worked as an English teacher at two different girls ' schools before her man and wife .
When Theo go , she was go away with their Logos and a sizable art collection . That ’s when she decided to pursue Theo ’s wishes . " Jo assume obligation for Van Gogh ’s artistic legacy . From 1891 up to her death , she dedicated herself to kick upstairs cognizance of Vincent ’s art and varsity letter , " says Luijten , who is also the generator of abiography on Jo van Gogh - Bonger . " And of course , she have it off his work , too . "
Jo raised van Gogh ’s esthetic profile through unflagging efforts . She worked extensively to cultivate his name and interest in his style , which was no small feat . " At the time , van Gogh ’s workplace was often view way too modern in the eyes of collectors and art - buyers , " Luijten pronounce . To do this , she selectively sell his works , and inspired writers and fine art critic to handle his painting . She also impart pieces to prestigious museums and organise countless exhibitions and sales .
" One of Jo ’s major feats was the organisation of a magisterial exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum [ Amsterdam ’s premier museum for contemporary artwork ] in 1905 , where she united no less than 484 of Van Gogh ’s works , " Luijten explains . " A van Gogh exhibition of this magnitude would never again be matched . " All say , between 1891 and 1925 , Jo sold at least 192 house painting by van Gogh and 55 works on newspaper publisher , he adds .
Letters to Theo
Another strategical maneuver occur in 1914 , when van Gogh - Bonger published Vincent ’s letters to Theo . Vincent wrotehundreds of lettersto Theo , most of which Theo kept . " This was of critical importance , as following the publication of the letter , appreciation of Vincent as an artist only increase further , " say Luijten .
Granoff agrees . " Vincent was an silver author . The letter made Vincent more relatable , " she says . She notes that most experts conceive Johanna edited out intimate and kinfolk secrets , and that only about 40 of Theo ’s letters to his brother survive . " Vincent typically glow any letters he receive after scan them . "
Upon van Gogh - Bonger ’s death in 1925 at age 62from Parkinson ’s disease , all van Gogh works still in her possession fall to her son , Vincent Willem van Gogh . He continued his mother ’s aliveness ’s work and eventually set up the Vincent van Gogh Foundation and the Van Gogh Museum , so that his uncle ’s pieces could be approachable to anyone . Willem van Gogh , Theo and Jo ’s nifty - grandson , iscurrently a instrument panel adviserto the Van Gogh Museum .
There ’s small doubt that despite van Gogh ’s brilliance , he would n’t be think to the level that he is today without the influence of van Gogh - Bonger who " acted decisively in a world dominate by men , " Luijten says . " Jo van Gogh - Bonger is perhaps not a household name , but she was a effect to be reckoned with . I am delighted that we are capable to narrate her spirit story in such point now . "
