Van Gogh Early Works

As you can see here, Vincent Van Gogh's early works are increadibly different from the later ones he is known for.

While his later works are bold and drmatic, these early works are dark, with little color, and have finer lines. While they still maintain good composition, much of his early works are spread out and mostly sketches or quick paintings.

Vincent began drawing at an early age and was encouraged by his mother. While he was taught by a successful artist from Paris, Vincent was deeply unhappy during this time, and the lessons had little effect. He abruptly returned home in 1868.

In 1869, Van Gogh obtained a position as an art dealer in The Hague. After training untill 1873, he had a very successful year and one of his happiest. He then grew resentful of issues in his company, however, and was dismissed a year after. He then returned to Paris and fell back into depression.

While being the oldest child of a fairly prosperous family, his lack of success as an artist forced him to rely on his brother financially. He lived in poverty and ate poorly, spending much of his money on materials for his art. During this time (1883-1886), he produced his better known early paintings.