The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) is one of the greatest figures in Western art. Revered for his bold, expressionist paintings, he is also admired as a prodigious and eloquent letter writer. His correspondence displays a remarkable literary gift and an ability to communicate his ideas and feelings about nature, art and life in direct, emotive language. Illustrated with works of art and letters that demonstrate Van Gogh’s abiding preoccupations – the role of colour in painting, the cycles of nature and friendship, for example – this fascinating book explores the correspondence as a self-portrait of the artist and the man. The letter-sketches that he used to describe completed works or those in progress are reproduced alongside the paintings or drawings on which they are based, providing a unique insight into his artistic development. Drawing on new and extensive research, leading authorities on Van Gogh reveal how the letters enhance and shape our view of this modern master.