When you hear the name Vincent van Gogh, vivid colors and emotionally charged brushstrokes likely come to mind. But what kind of art did Vincent van Gogh create, really? Beyond the fame of Starry Night and Sunflowers, van Gogh’s body of work reveals a deeply expressive and evolving style shaped by both personal hardship and groundbreaking artistic vision.
We’ll take a closer look at the genres, themes, and techniques that defined van Gogh’s art, how his style evolved, and why he’s considered one of the most influential figures in Western art history.
The Early Years: Drawing and Realism
Focus on Everyday Life
Vincent van Gogh’s artistic journey didn’t start with swirling skies and sun-drenched landscapes. In fact, his early works were rooted in realism, focusing on the humble lives of peasants and workers. A perfect example of this period is The Potato Eaters (1885), a dark-toned painting portraying a rural family eating dinner by lamplight.
- Earthy tones dominated his palette
- He used strong contour lines and dark shading
- Subjects were often working-class individuals or interiors
These early works show van Gogh’s commitment to portraying life as it was, with empathy and grit.
The Transition to Color: Influences of Impressionism
Moving to Paris and Meeting the Impressionists
Van Gogh’s style began to shift dramatically after moving to Paris in 1886. There, he was exposed to the works of Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist artists like Monet, Degas, and Seurat. The bright light and looser brushwork of these artists deeply inspired him.
His palette lightened, and his brushstrokes became more dynamic. He started using:
- Brighter colors like yellows, blues, and greens
- Dabs and strokes to capture light and movement
- Still life and landscape compositions with more emotional energy
He was particularly taken with Japanese woodblock prints, which influenced his use of flat color areas and bold outlines.
Post-Impressionism and Van Gogh’s Signature Style
Defining Characteristics
By the late 1880s, van Gogh had found his own voice—one that fit within the Post-Impressionist movement but pushed its limits. So, what kind of art did Vincent van Gogh create during this phase?
Here are the defining features:
- Expressive brushwork: Swirling, rhythmic strokes that convey emotion
- Bold, symbolic color: Colors chosen for feeling, not realism
- Emotive landscapes and portraits: Nature and people as mirrors of his inner life
Famous examples include:
- Starry Night (1889): a dreamy interpretation of a night sky
- Sunflowers series (1888): bright and dynamic still lifes
- Wheatfield with Crows (1890): turbulent skies and expansive fields
Subjects of Van Gogh’s Art
Nature and Rural Life
Van Gogh had a deep spiritual connection with nature, which shows in his countless landscapes and studies of flowers and fields.
- Cypress trees and wheat fields symbolized the eternal cycle of life and death
- Gardens, orchards, and wildflowers reflected joy and renewal
Portraits and Self-Portraits
He also created over 35 self-portraits, using them to practice techniques and express his mental and emotional states.
- Eyes are intense and haunting
- Backgrounds are often swirling or colored symbolically
Techniques That Set Him Apart
Color as Emotion
Van Gogh broke away from the traditional idea of naturalistic color. Instead, he used:
- Non-naturalistic palettes to convey feeling
- Contrasting hues like blue and orange for visual drama
- Thick paint (impasto) to add texture and depth
Dynamic Brushwork
His brushwork is one of his most recognizable traits. He used:
- Quick, deliberate strokes
- Circular and directional patterns
- Layering and texture to bring energy into his paintings
Did Van Gogh Have Any Formal Art Training?
Although he briefly studied at art academies in Brussels and Antwerp, Vincent van Gogh was largely self-taught. He learned by studying old masters, sketching from life, and tirelessly experimenting with new materials and methods.
His early drawings show a technical attention to anatomy and proportion, while his later paintings explode with emotional intensity and artistic freedom.
Van Gogh’s Artistic Legacy
Vincent van Gogh’s art was not widely recognized during his lifetime. He sold only a few paintings and often relied on financial help from his brother Theo. However, today, his works are celebrated globally for their raw emotional power, unique technique, and visionary color use.
He laid the groundwork for modern art movements like Expressionism and Fauvism, influencing artists like Edvard Munch and Henri Matisse.
Conclusion
So, what kind of art did Vincent van Gogh create? His journey from dark, realistic scenes to vivid, emotionally charged masterpieces reveals an artist who painted not just what he saw, but what he felt. Vincent van Gogh’s style, marked by bold colors, swirling brushstrokes, and deep sensitivity, continues to move audiences today.
His legacy lives on in every sunflower, starry sky, and self-portrait—proof that art born from personal struggle can speak across time and space.