Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke of Genius

This episode of BIOGRAPHY looks at the tragic life and career of Vincent Van Gogh. Plagued by madness and depression, Van Gogh nevertheless produced revolutionary works of art that are worth millions today. However during his lifetime, Van Gogh’s art failed to excite the art world and his paintings did not sell.

Van Gogh lived his life as a pauper and spent his time painting and fighting the demons that plagued him. He ended his own life at the age of 37, broke and a failure. Van Gogh’s greatness would be recognized by future generations, and his works are among the most coveted in the world.

Vincent Van Gogh: A Stroke of Genius would be useful for classes on European History, Art History, Culture and Psychology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• alienate
• ascetic
• austere
• delirium
• diligently
• distraught
• impoverished
• macabre
• melancholy
• nuance
• obsessions
• ordination
• pilgrimage
• shunned
• voracious

1. Van Gogh’s paintings did not sell well during his lifetime. Why are they so popular and valuable today?

2. Art is a subjective medium. How does one determine what art is? How does one distinguish a good work of art from a poor work of art? How can these guidelines change or differ in different times and other cultures?

3. As a young man Van Gogh wished to be a preacher and spent some time as a preacher in a mining town. How did this experience influence his art?

4. Why did Van Gogh decide to become a professional artist?

5. Van Gogh seemed to be attracted to older women who were in mourning. Why do you think Van Gogh had this attraction?

6. The story of Van Gogh cutting off his ear is as famous as his art. Why did he perform this macabre act?

7. Discuss the bond between Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo. How did this bond enable Van Gogh to produce his art?

8. Van Gogh killed himself at the age of 37. Discuss reasons why he did this. How do you feel about his decision? If you were his friend what would you have done to help him? Is there any way to help someone who is feeling badly about themselves? What would you do if someone you knew was contemplating suicide? How would you help them through this? Who are some of the people you could turn to for help? List them and discuss how they would help.

9. Was Van Gogh insane?

1. How was Van Gogh's technique different from the other great painters of his era? Using his technique create your own painting. Set up a museum displaying your classes work. Invite other classes to come in and view them. You may wish to produce a program that includes the artists' name, a brief description of the painting, and the techniques used to create it.

2. Create a leaflet to distribute to your classmates about suicide. What is some information you need to include on this leaflet? Organize an event in order to increase student awareness of and give them an opportunity to discuss this topic. Invite your local representatives, parents and school officials.

3. Discuss Van Gogh's role in the nineteenth century art movement. How was art of the nineteenth century different from art of the eighteenth century or the twentieth century?

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Air Dates

• April 23, 2004