Vincent van Gogh worked as an art dealer and then became a schoolteacher before training to be a pastor and a missionary – but these jobs did not suit him!
His cousin, Anton Mauve, was a successful artist, and he encouraged Vincent to start painting. His works were dark and strange, though, and he couldn't sell them.
He moved to Paris in 1886, where he studied new painting techniques. His art became bolder and more colourful.
In 1888, Van Gogh moved to the south of France. There, he created the paintings that would make him famous, including ‘Starry Night Over the Rhone’ and ‘Sunflowers’.
By then, Van Gogh was struggling with poor health and depression, and he never lived to see his works become popular. He passed away in 1890…
