"Avenue of Chestnut Trees in Blossom" (Arles. Early May, 1889) van Goch

 "Avenue of Chestnut Trees in Blossom" (Arles. Early May, 1889) van Goch

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is considered one of the most famous and influential artists in history. Born in 1853 in the Netherlands, van Gogh had a difficult and tumultuous life.

After trying his hand at various professions, including teaching and religious work, van Gogh decided to pursue his passion for art. He moved to Paris in 1886 to study painting and was greatly influenced by the work of the impressionist artists he encountered there.

In 1888, van Gogh moved to Arles in the south of France, where he hoped to create a utopian artists' community. It was here that he produced some of his most famous works, including "The Night Café" and "Starry Night."

However, van Gogh's mental health began to deteriorate, and he experienced frequent bouts of depression and anxiety. In 1889, he famously cut off part of his own ear during a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin.

Van Gogh was eventually committed to a psychiatric hospital, where he continued to paint. In 1890, at the age of just 37, he tragically took his own life. It was not until after his death that van Gogh's work began to receive widespread recognition, and he is now considered one of the greatest painters of all time.