Vincent Van Gogh - His Life & Paintings
Vincent Van Gogh signed his works as simply "Vincent" but there is nothing simple about the masterpieces he created, and for which he is famed worldwide. Receiving no recognition from his father, mother or sister as an artist, and even less as a genius, Vincent Van Gogh abandoned his surname and signed his work simply "Vincent".
Vincent Van Gogh was born in Zundert, Holland on 30 March 1853 and died in Auvers sur Oise on 29 July 1890. Most sadly for the painter he only sold two paintings during his life, and these were at an absurdly low price. Many of his paintings he gave away and sadly his work was so unappreciated, that one was even used as a door for a hen house. If only he could see how much his work is loved and revered now! So revered in fact, that at a New York auction sale in November 1987, his painting "Irises" (May 1889) sold for the record price of 49 million dollars!