Vincent Van Gogh ;

Vincent van Gogh, born in Groot-Zundert, Holland, the son of a pastor, brought up in a religious and cultured atmosphere. Vincent was highly emotional and lacked self-confidence. Between 1860 and 1880, when he finally decided to become an artist, van Gogh had had two unsuitable and unhappy romances and had worked unsuccessfully as a clerk in a bookstore, an art salesman, and a preacher. He remained in Belgium to study art, determined to give happiness by creating beauty. Color was the chief symbol of expression. In 1886 he went to Paris to join his brother Théo, the manager of Goupil's gallery.Van Gogh pursued himself with an open razor, but was stopped by Gauguin. However he ended up cutting a portion of his own ear lobe off. Van Gogh then began to alternate between fits of madness and lucidity and was sent to the asylum in Saint-Remy for treatment. In May of 1890, he seemed much better and went to live in Auvers-sur-Oise under the watchful eye of Dr. Gachet. Two months later he was dead, having shot himself "for the good of all."

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