Who was Vincent van Gogh?

Vincent van Gogh is born in the Dutch town of Zundert, in 1853. His brother Theo recommends he 'tries to do something in the arts', so Vincent applies to the Brussels art academy. He moves back to Brabant, then to The Hague, Drenthe, Nuenen, Antwerp... It seems Vincent can't find his way - or even a job, so every now and then Theo sends him some pocket money.

When he joins his brother in Paris, Vincent is introduced to modern painters. His work becomes ever brighter, with vivid colours and short brush strokes. He moves to Arles and paints his heart out. In fact, he makes five versions of The Sunflowers, even though he can't even sell the first one. Vincent is not an easy man, for others or for himself. He gets confused and cuts off a piece of his ear. Well, at least it makes for an interesting self portrait.

He has himself admitted to a clinic and continues to paint, even though at times eats his own paint out of madness. Bon appetite... At the age of 37, life becomes too much for Vincent to bear. After his death his work finally finds acclaim and Vincent gets the appreciation he until then only got from Theo.