Born the son of a Calvinist pastor, Van Gogh's younger brother Theo was his moral shadow throughout his life.  Van Gogh studied art in Brussels, Antwerp and finally Paris.
His palette brightened considerably under the influence of Impressionism.  His most important works were executed in Arles and Saint-Remy, despite fits of insanity.

Sunflowers
Vincent Van Gogh, 1853-1890, Dutch
Rijksmuseum Vincent Van Gogh, Amsterdam
