Vincent Van Goghwas born on 30 March 1853, in Groot Zundert, Netherlands. He was one, or why not even the greatest painter in history. His parents, Theodorus and Anna Cornelia had eight children. Vincent was the second elder brother. Of his older brothers, Vincent had a unique relationship with Theo. Theo supported the artist both financially and morally because it seems that Vincent had some mental problems and moral issues throughout his career.

In the period between 1869 and 1873 to Van Gogh went to Hague as to work for a subsidiary of Goupil art Parisian house at the indication of his parents. Here is where Van Gogh came into contact with the world of arts.

Van Gogh created more than 2,000 works of art, around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches. Today many of his works, including portraits, landscapes and paintings of sunflowers, are included among the best known and most expensive in the world. Among these we mention several masterpieces: “Sower” (1881), “Still life with cabbage and clogs wood” (1881), “State lottery” (1882), “The potato eaters” (1885), “Agostina Segatori” (1887), “Yellow house” (1888), “Vase with twelve sunflowers” (1889), “Self-portrait” (1889), “Portrait of Joseph Roulin” (1889), “Starry night “(1889),” Cropland with cypresses “(1889),” Cropland with Ravens” (1890), “Iris” (1889), etc. The most valuable of his paintings was “Portrait of Dr. Gachet”, which was sold for a price of $146.5 million.

When it comes to the best paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, we have to mention “The potato eaters”, “Vase with twelve sunflowers”, “Portrait of Dr. Gachet” and “Starry night”, which are all extremely appreciated by art critics worldwide.

The Potato Eaters

The Potato Eaters (“Aardappeleters” in Dutch) is an oil painting on canvas 82 cm x 114 cm, made in 1885 by painter Vincent Van Gogh. Stored at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, this is the first work that Van Gogh considered a real success. At some time after taking it, the artist wrote to his sister Wilhelmine Paris following: “I think the painting representing peasants eating potatoes will remain one of my best creations”.

This masterpiece has a whole story of its own. First, in early April, the artist made the first studies of the figure, creating an overview of the future composition. Then, on April 11, he made a sketch contained in a letter, and a few days after – the composition. Thus, there is a first version of the painting, exactly lithography done in one day, and a second version at the Van Gogh Museum.

Upon completion of his work, Van Gogh had a substantial reason to believe that he can finally rival Jean-François Millet. These peasants are “very hideous and repulsive”, which makes them considerably more accurate; they are figures with that charisma – to be considered true social icons.

Once finished the painting, the artist wrote to Theo: “Those who still prefer a milder version of the peasants are on their own. As far as I am concerned, I am convinced that it is far better to play their rugged features than to assign a conventional courtesy”.

Vase with Twelve Sunflowers

Vincent Van Gogh’s name became forever associated with sunflowers; artist wrote to Theo: ” the sunflower is mine in a way.” The flower had a special meaning for him: yellow symbolizing friendship and hope, while expressing gratitude to the flower itself. This painting is probably the most famous series of paintings representing sunflowers – created by Vincent in August and September 1888.

Initially, the artist has come with the idea of decorating the Yellow House in Arles studio. But later decided that their role should be to decorate the room of guests ready for Paul Gauguin, whose arrival was predicted with so much enthusiasm. Vincent had to paint fast:
“I work at it every morning from sunrise until late in the evening!” wrote the artist “for the flowers fade so quickly.” He was satisfied with his paintings but considered that only two of them, including this release, deserved to wear his signature.

Portrait of Dr. Gachet

Portrait of Dr. Gachet is an artwork created in 1890 by the painter Vincent Van Gogh. There are two versions of the creation. They are painted in oil on canvas and the dimensions of 67 cm × 56 cm. The first is a private collection, and the second at the Orsay Museum. Both represent the Paul Gachet, Vincent Van Gogh’s doctor.

In the spring of 1890, Vincent recommends his brother Theo a person able to help him with the health problems, specifically a doctor named Paul Gachet, in Auvers-Sur-Oise. In his letters, the artist mentions the doctor as: “good friend”, “my new brother” or “father”, harboring a sense of confidence. This painting is more than a portrait on canvas, but a transfiguration of everything Gachet represents for him – the ideal friend. Dr. Gachet appreciated Van Gogh’s work, understanding his remarkable personality.

With a surprising spontaneity, Van Gogh approaches complementary colors and emphasizes their valences. The portrait of the doctor is built on the combination of blue tones of clothing and medical background with a bright orange mean plan.

Starry Night

Starry Night is an oil painting on canvas 73.7 cm x 92.1 cm, made in 1889 by the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. The painting is currently at the Museum of Modern Art (in New York).

One of the most recognizable paintings of Van Gogh originates from a landscape that the artist had seen in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Rough lines and distorted shapes create a highly emotional atmosphere in this painting, which is one of Vincent’s most famous nocturnal creations. He painted it at night with the aid of a candle placed in a hat.

These are the best paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, each of them having something unique and spectacular.