Vincent Van GoghBy Shari Jackson

I dream my paintings, then I paint my dreams (Van Gogh).

What can you learn about Vincent Van Gogh when you look at his self portraits?

Vincent Van Gogh was a painter, who was born in 1853. He painted and drew from 1880 to 1890 and he created over

2000 works of art.

(Whistler’s Mother 1871) Many paintings of this time were dark and realistic. They looked

like photographs. It was rare to have your photograph taken during this time period.

(Head of a Peasant Woman in Dark Cap, Van Gogh, 1885) Vincent tried to paint the way that everyone else was painting.

(By the River, William Morris Hunt, 1850) At this time, brush strokes were rarely seen. Dark colors were

used.

Landscape at Dusk, Van Gogh, 1885 Vincent even painted seascapes this way.

Bedroom at Arles, Van Gogh, 1887 …but this what was in his heart. Is it dark? Does it look

realistic? Can you see his brush strokes?

Portrait of the Postman, Van Gogh, 1888Do you think that people of this time period, liked Vincent’s

paintings?

Café Terrace at Night, Van Gogh, 1888 Van Gogh was very poor. His brother, Theo, helped him to

buy paints. Theo believed in Vincent’s talent.

Starry Night Over Rhone, Van Gogh 1888 Vincent was an expressionist. He painted his own impression,

used distorted shapes, bright colors and emotion.

(Starry Night, Van Gogh), 1889 Vincent’s best work was done in the last two years of his life.

Do you see his emotion here?

Iris, Van Gogh, 1889 Today, we view Vincent Van Gogh as a great master.

His art is famous around the world.

Wheat Fields With Crows, Final Painting, 1890 This is believed to be Vincent’s last painting. He died at 37.

He never sold a single painting in his lifetime.

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

This self-portrait can often be seen at the Wadsworth Atheneum

in Hartford, Connecticut.

Please listen carefully, as I read you the story, Camille and the Sunflowers, by Laurence Anholt. Camille is Vincent’s

friend and the son of the postman, who we saw a portrait of, earlier.

Here is a photograph of real sunflowers.

Now, we will paint like expressionists. Vincent Van Gogh had his own style. Paint with your OWN style!