Vincent Van Gogh (88)
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) is basically the ultimate example of the tortured genius—an artist who saw the world in swirling color and emotion, even if the world didn’t quite see him. Born in the Netherlands, Van Gogh created over 2,000 artworks in just over a decade, including more than 800 oil paintings. And yet, during his lifetime, he sold only one painting. One! Today, his works like Starry Night, Sunflowers, and The Bedroom are instantly recognizable around the world, practically synonymous with raw, expressive beauty.
Van Gogh’s life was as intense as his brushstrokes. He battled mental illness, poverty, and isolation, famously cutting off part of his own ear during a breakdown. But he also poured that pain into his art, transforming everyday scenes—fields, cafés, cypress trees—into emotional landscapes of light and movement. His use of color was revolutionary, his brushwork electric. Though he died at just 37, thinking himself a failure, Van Gogh’s legacy has become one of the most celebrated in all of art history. He may have struggled in life, but in art, he was a star that never stops shining.
