VINCENT VAN GOGH. Il Mare a les Saintes Maries, 1888 Van Gogh Museum

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was a Dutch post-Impressionist painter known for his vivid, bold use of color and his emotional, often troubled, state of mind. Born in the Netherlands, he initially worked as an art dealer before moving to Paris where he was influenced by Impressionist and Japanese art. Van Gogh is particularly famous for his series of sunflowers and his iconic "Starry Night" painting. He suffered from mental illness and committed suicide at the age of 37. Despite a relatively short career, Van Gogh is considered one of the most influential painters of the 19th century and his work continues to inspire artists and art lovers around the world.