Vincent van Gogh, one of the most brilliant artists in history, left behind more than 2,000 works of art. His posthumous fame has grown astronomically, yet his life was riddled with poverty, isolation, and psychological torment. But perhaps the most haunting question about Van Gogh isn’t about his art—it’s about his death.
Did Vincent van Gogh really die by suicide, or could there be another explanation? For over a century, the tragic end of his life has been accepted as a case of self-inflicted harm. Yet in recent decades, new interpretations and alternative theories have emerged, challenging the narrative we thought we knew.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore the final weeks of Van Gogh’s life, the mysterious details surrounding his injury, the medical inconsistencies, and the rising theories that suggest he may not have taken his own life after all.
Van Gogh’s Final Months: A Brief Recap
In May 1890, Van Gogh moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, a small village north of Paris, after spending a year in the Saint-Rémy asylum. He lived under the care of Dr. Paul Gachet, a physician sympathetic to artists and mental illness.
During his 70 days in Auvers, Van Gogh was astonishingly productive—creating over 70 paintings and many drawings. His brushwork was vibrant, and letters to his brother Theo expressed both struggle and bursts of hope. He painted masterpieces like Wheatfield with Crows, The Church at Auvers, and Portrait of Dr. Gachet.
Despite this creative burst, Van Gogh’s mental state remained fragile. He suffered from depression, loneliness, and the constant fear of relapse.
The Conventional Account of His Death
On July 27, 1890, Van Gogh allegedly shot himself in the chest in a wheat field outside Auvers. He managed to walk back to the Auberge Ravoux, the inn where he lived. He reportedly told people, including the innkeeper, “I shot myself,” and refused medical help.
Two days later, on July 29, 1890, he died from the wound in his room, with his brother Theo at his bedside.
This version of events—suicide by gunshot—was widely accepted for decades and remains the official cause of death. However, several aspects of this account raise questions.
The Puzzling Details of His Injury
The idea that Van Gogh shot himself in the chest with a revolver and survived long enough to walk back over a mile to the inn has puzzled medical experts. Let’s examine why:
- The location of the wound: He was shot in the abdomen or lower chest—not the head or heart, which are more common in suicides.
- No gun was ever found: Despite searches, the weapon was never recovered.
- No suicide note: Although Van Gogh was an obsessive letter-writer, he left no final message.
- His hands were clean: Reports state there was no powder residue or burns, which would be expected in a self-inflicted close-range shot.
- Unusual angle: The trajectory of the bullet was reportedly diagonal and downward—an awkward angle for self-infliction.
These inconsistencies have opened the door to alternative explanations.
Theories Beyond Suicide
1. The Accidental Shooting Theory
In 2011, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographers Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith proposed that Van Gogh did not shoot himself at all—but was shot accidentally by two local teenage boys.
According to this theory:
- Van Gogh had a passive, possibly even friendly, relationship with the boys.
- They were known to dress up in cowboy attire and had access to a malfunctioning revolver.
- Van Gogh may have been shot during rough play or a prank gone wrong.
- To protect them—or out of resignation—he took the blame.
Supporters of this theory argue it better explains the odd wound, the missing gun, and Van Gogh’s ambiguous statements after the shooting.
This theory gained traction in scholarly circles and was even acknowledged as “plausible” by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, though not officially endorsed.
2. The Assisted Suicide Theory
Another less discussed theory is that Van Gogh, knowing he might relapse again into mental illness, arranged a kind of “assisted suicide” or made a conscious decision to end his life in a way that absolved others of responsibility.
Supporters cite:
- His increasing fears about being a burden to Theo and Jo (his brother and sister-in-law).
- His religious upbringing, which may have influenced his guilt around direct suicide.
- His expression of resignation and “peace” in the days before he died.
This theory paints his final act as both tragic and self-sacrificial.
3. The Suicide-by-Opportunity Theory
A hybrid idea is that Van Gogh did choose to die, but not through a premeditated plan. According to this view, he stumbled upon a gun—possibly left behind by the boys or someone else—and made a sudden decision.
This would account for:
- The lack of a note
- The erratic location of the wound
- The absence of long-term planning
It also aligns with Van Gogh’s impulsive behavior and his rapid mood shifts during episodes.
Van Gogh’s Own Words: What Did He Say?
While Van Gogh didn’t leave a suicide note, he was reported to have said:
“Do not accuse anyone. It is I who wanted to kill myself.”
But this statement has never been fully verified. It was recounted by others and not written by Van Gogh himself. It’s possible he was misquoted or misunderstood. He was severely injured and possibly disoriented at the time.
In his final letter to Theo, Van Gogh had written:
“I feel — a failure. That’s it as far as I’m concerned… I feel that this is the destiny that I accept.”
This letter is often seen as evidence of despair, but it also includes lines about continuing to work and hope. The ambiguity mirrors his mental state—torn between surrender and survival.
The Aftermath: Theo’s Tragedy
Van Gogh’s brother Theo was devastated by his death. Just six months later, Theo died at age 33 from complications related to syphilis and mental illness. The two brothers, deeply bonded in life, were buried next to each other in Auvers.
Their deaths marked the end of Van Gogh’s physical journey—but the beginning of his artistic immortality.
What the Van Gogh Museum Says
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam continues to list suicide as the most likely cause of death, but acknowledges that new theories offer valid counterpoints. Their official stance is that “some uncertainty remains” and that the new evidence should be taken seriously.
They note that the shift in interpretation—from a solitary suicide to a more complex or accidental event—invites us to rethink Van Gogh not only as a tragic figure, but as a resilient artist who persevered despite immense suffering.
Van Gogh’s Mental Health: A Closer Look
Van Gogh was not formally diagnosed during his lifetime, but scholars have speculated he suffered from several possible conditions:
- Bipolar disorder
- Epilepsy
- Depression
- Borderline personality disorder
- Temporal lobe epilepsy
- Lead poisoning (from his paints)
Despite these challenges, Van Gogh never stopped working. His final weeks were filled with artistic energy. He painted some of his most iconic works, showing that his creativity didn’t vanish with his mental stability—it flourished alongside it.
Legacy of His Death
The mystery around Van Gogh’s death has only added to his mythos. Whether he died by suicide, by accident, or through a tragic misunderstanding, his final days reflect the painful complexity of the human experience.
But Van Gogh is not defined by how he died—he is remembered for how he lived through his art. He turned pain into paint, loneliness into landscape, and struggle into swirling skies.
Visiting Van Gogh’s Final Resting Place
If you wish to pay tribute:
- Grave Site: Cemetery of Auvers-sur-Oise, France
- Next to: His brother Theo
- Nearby landmarks: The wheat field where he was shot, and the Auberge Ravoux where he died
Many visitors walk the same paths he did in his final weeks—surrounded by the landscapes he immortalized in his last canvases.
Conclusion: A Death That Defies Simplicity
So, how did Vincent van Gogh die? The answer is layered.
He may have taken his own life. Or he may have been the victim of an accident. He may have chosen not to live, or he may have accepted death when it came unexpectedly.
But what’s undeniable is this: Van Gogh faced extraordinary mental and emotional challenges, yet left behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions. His death, though mysterious, does not overshadow the blazing light of his life’s work.
Bring Van Gogh’s Legacy into Your Space
Explore our stunning Vincent van Gogh wall art collection to keep his spirit alive. Each piece captures the emotion, energy, and genius of a man who painted not to be remembered—but to feel alive.