Vincent van Gogh did not become famous till years after his death. During his life he sold only one painting and it is hard to believe that in 1903 a merchant at a Breda market sold works by Van Gogh for a mere 5 and 10 cents each. These days millions of dollars are paid for his paintings at auction.

Holland and France 
Vincent van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert in the south of Holland in 1853. He is the eldest son of a vicar and his favorite brother Theo is four years younger. In 1869, he joins the art dealers Goupil & Co in The Hague and his work takes him to London and Paris. At this time, Vincent begins writing regular letters to Theo and their correspondence continued for almost 18 years. In London, daily contact with works of art kindles his appreciation of paintings and drawings, but Vincent gradually looses interest in his work and turns to the bible. He decides to help his fellow men and becomes a clergyman. His extreme commitment draws disfavor from the church and he gets dismissed. In 1880, he decides to become an artist. First he paints in Holland, but in 1885 he leaves for Belgium, followed by Paris in 1886. Now he sees for himself how the Impressionists handle light and color, and treat their original themes from the town and country. Van Gogh spends a large part of his artistic life in France. In 1888 he moves to Arles in the Provence, where he is particularly productive. He dies in 1890 as a result of suicide, with Theo at his side. 

Van Gogh painted mainly to relieve his inner self of conflicts. He also felt the need to avenge himself against all the setbacks he had suffered in his life
"I have a terrible need of -- dare I say the word? -- religion. Then I go out at night to paint the stars..."
- Vincent van Gogh, Arles, 1888 

Light and color 
Van Gogh became famous for his use of light and color. He spread his paint thickly onto the canvas with heavy brushstrokes or a palette knife. His works did not make him rich. He died in 1890, only 37 years old. Vincent's paintings were left to Theo, but his true legacy will be realized in his powerful influence on artists of the twentieth century. 

Museum 
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses a huge collection of paintings and drawings by Van Gogh, including works that he gave to his brother Theo. This museum also contains paintings by his contemporaries: Toulouse-Lautrec, Pisarro, Gauguin and Manet. The Kröller-Müller Museum in the Hoge Veluwe National Park also has an extensive Van Gogh collection.