Top 5 Most Famous Paintings of Vincent van Gogh in Different Subjects

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most significant artists in the history of art. The Dutch genius led a tumultuous life marked by self-mutilation, mental struggles, and depression. He embarked on his artistic journey at the age of 28, facing neglect from both the public and critics until his demise.

Remarkably, during his lifetime, Vincent van Gogh managed to sell only a single painting. His true recognition came posthumously, as his artworks now garner admiration and scholarly attention from ordinary individuals, fellow artists, and art critics worldwide.

Van Gogh's technique, color application, and the subjects he portrayed all contribute to a portrayal of the complex artist himself. A man plagued by his own intricacies, illness, and distrust of others, he relied heavily on his brother Theo and his artistic prowess to etch his legacy.

His subjects were often scenes of everyday life as if van Gogh were fascinated by daily life and by the desire for the tranquility of a typical domestic life or a pristine landscape.

Van Gogh often depicted scenes from daily life, seemingly captivated by the mundane and a yearning for the serenity of domesticity or untouched landscapes. Tragically, his mysterious and controversial death (mired in speculation of murder, suicide, or a tragic accident) robbed the world of an incredible talent capable of producing unparalleled masterpieces. Yet, his existing body of astonishing works continues to inspire awe for their technique, style, and enduring relevance.

1. Self Portrait, 1889

Among the most exquisite self-portraits is Van Gogh's creation from September 1889, against a backdrop of serene light blue. Executed during a period of respite at the Saint Remy asylum, this piece followed a two-month-long crisis of madness.

About this self-portrait, van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo in 1889: "I hope you will notice my facial expressions have become much calmer, although my eyes have the same insecure look as before, so it appears to me."

Also, it is precisely the gaze of van Gogh that strikes in this self-portrait, in addition to the painting’s background, formed by spirals of green absinthe and light turquoise, very soft, but enraged in a concatenation of spirals.

They are a bit like flames, but they are intense flames, denoting in van Gogh a drowsy calm, but ready to unleash itself in a primordial way: the cheekbones and the shape of the skull of this van Gogh self-portrait have something animal or a primitive man.

Van Gogh's beard and mustache are neat, tidy and controlled, but the orange color makes them emerge from the self-portrait background and refers to a brute force, characterized by a harsh and determined expression of a wounded lion, but ready to lash out. The hardness and rigidity of the expression of van Gogh make us think of the determination and hardness of self-control as if van Gogh had imposed himself to appear disciplined, orderly, calm and well dressed in the jacket and buttons in place.

Van Gogh tries to adapt to the world, but it is complicated for the artist to do it, and even a year later Vincent will end his life with his tragic death. Perhaps this self portrait painting was just a cry for help.

2. Vincent's Bedroom in Arles

Painted a year prior to his demise, Vincent's Bedroom in Arles offers a glimpse into Van Gogh's living space within the yellow house in Arles, where he resided.

It was a terrible environment in which there are few furniture and objects. On the right, you only see a wooden bed. On the left, there’s a small table with objects for daily hygiene. On the table, there are a plate, a glass, and a pitcher. The table indicates that probably this piece of furniture was also dedicated to the frugal meals of the artist. Van Gogh painted his room with lots of bright colors to reflect van Gogh lived in peace and felt homely.

3. The Starry Night

Executed during his time at the Saint-Rémy-de-Provence psychiatric hospital, The Starry Night was created in June 1889, just a month after his admission and thirteen months prior to his tragic death.

The intertwining of earth and sky through a tuft of cypresses, rising from the bottom left, marks a pivotal element of this work. The sky's focal point is a prominent vortex, an essential feature that defines The Starry Night.

This central vortex draws parallels to the Taoist concept of the yin-yang circle, symbolizing the interplay of opposing forces (active male principle - yang and passive female principle - yin) that give rise to transformation. This influence is traced back to Van Gogh's exposure to Japanese prints during his stay in Paris in 1886.

The painting is both soothing and disconcerting, embodying the tormented soul of the artist.

4. The Sunflowers

Van Gogh's affinity for sunflowers is evident in his dedication of one of his "Sunflower in a Vase" paintings to his dear friend Paul Gauguin, whom he deeply respected.

The Sunflowers , in fact, expressed the passion of van Gogh for the particular luminosity of the Provence sun which he was struck in his stay in Arles and allowed van Gogh to use the entire spectrum of yellow, a favorite color, especially in that period, thanks to an innovative technique called "solid dough". After having collected an abundant quantity of colors, van Gogh applied it with such energy on the canvas to leave lumps of paint on both sides of each stroke.

The flowers are disordered, almost unkempt, represented through moving touches, which follow the movement of petals and leaves, come alive, charging themselves with a symbolic meaning, a metaphor of the vitality of nature. The result is a lively and joyful and at the same time tormented image.

5. Café Terrace at Night

Café Terrace at Night employs a distinctly central perspective. The composition guides the viewer's eye from a bustling coffee establishment in the foreground towards the diminishing details that punctuate the pathway.

The meaning of Café Terrace at Night can be grasped by merely digging into the personality of the painter: the fervent activity of coffee and human activities in the nightstand out against the cold darkness of a city that instead sleeps and that without this small building with tables and people chatting, it would be empty and unlit.

In Van Gogh's profound creations, each canvas reveals a unique facet of his inner world and artistic vision. Through his use of color, technique, and subject matter, he crafted a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate with audiences across the globe.

Starry Night Painting Reproduction Video