Van Gogh - Tormented Genius | Biographical Documentary

If you have already watched Part 1, please skip to 20.32.
Vincent van Gogh is almost as well known for cutting off his ear as he is for his paintings and has long been thought of as the classic tormented genius - ahead of his time, misunderstood and hounded by lesser mortals who failed to recognize his talent.
But how much do we really know about van Gogh - his unsettled early years, his failed attempts to become a preacher, his disastrous love life, and his tortured but frenetically productive final period?
In this biographical documentary I explore the life, and death, of one of the world’s greatest artists to uncover van Gogh the man, as well as van Gogh the madman.
This video charts his early years and the awakening of his artistic talent and the explosion of creativity he experienced in the South of France and his descent into madness.
0:00-20:32 - Part 1
20:32-53:27 - Part 2
Finding Out More:
There are lots of biographies, each with its own particular revelation. Van Gogh: The Life, by Steven Naifeh and Gregory Smith, is justly recognised as one of the best, although their theories about his death remain controversial. Van Gogh also wrote hundreds of letters, which are very poignant. You can buy a six volume set if you’re feeling rich, or read them online. I have added some of the best biographies and movies to my Amazon store page if you are interested: www.amazon.com...
Academic References;
Ter Borg, M., and Trenité, D. K. N. (2012). The cultural context of diagnosis: The case of Vincent van Gogh. Epilepsy and Behavior, 25(3), 431-439.
Van Gogh, V (1876) Sermon: I am a Stranger on the Earth. www.vggallery.c...
Vicentini, C. B., Manfredini, S., Maritati, M., Di Nuzzo, M., and Contini, C. (2019). Gonorrhea, a current disease with ancient roots: from the remedies of the past to future perspectives. Infez Med, 27(2), 212-221.
Voskuil, P. (2020). Vincent van Gogh and his illness. A reflection on a posthumous diagnostic exercise. Epilepsy and Behavior, 111, 107258.
Copyright Disclaimer:
The primary purpose of this video is educational. I have tried to use material in the public domain or with Creative Commons Non-attribution licences wherever possible. Where attribution is required, I have listed this below. I believe that any copyright material used falls under the remit of Fair Use, but if any content owners would like to dispute this, I will not hesitate to immediately remove that content. It is not my intention to infringe on content ownership in any way. If you happen to find your art or images in the video, please let me know and I will be glad to credit you.
Images:
Wikimedia Commons
Van Gogh Museum
Wellcome Collection
National Gallery, London
Music:
Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Sonata in C major BWV 529 Hans Otto. Creative Commons Attribution 1.0
Johann Sebastian Bach: "Little" Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578 performed by the saxophone section of the United States Army Field Band. Public domain.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Grosse Fuge, opus 133. Merel Quartet. CC3.0
Johannes Brahms: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet - Op. 115. William McColl and the Orford String Quartet. CC2.0
Claude Debussy Rêverie Arr for Soprano saxophone and piano David Hernando Vitores CC4.0
Claude Debussy - La fille aux cleveux de lin - David Hernando Vitores - Kayoko Morimoto CC4
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5, IV. Adagietto -Peabody Symphony Orchestra CC1.0
Jacques Offenbach's opera Orpheus in the Underworld CC0 via MusOpen
Erik Satie: Gnossienne 1,3, 5 & 6. La Pianista CC3.0.
Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons - Winter RV 297. The Modena Chamber Orchestra. CC1.0
Video produced by Graeme Yorston and Tom Yorston.

[@jennklein1917]

I have always admired Theos wife. Through her adroitness, she kept all the letters between the brothers. Also keeping as many of his paintings alive! An admirable benefactor, and loyal wife and sister and law🎉

[@professorgraemeyorston]

She was indeed.

[@WVgrl59]

True ❤

[@Claytone-Records]

And it’s mostly due to her ‘promotion’ work after the brothers deaths that we know of the paintings today. I think.

[@amiemarieart]

Me too!! I have such admiration for her and who she was as a person, such a kind soul

[@fayee8986]

Yes she did Keep as much of him as she could and it proves that she only wanted to benefit financially from what he produced. Now that was a brilliant move from her. LOL Vinton poor thing himself did not benefit from his work at all ,that poor thing probably died hungry.

[@cherrystoltz1557]

I am on the autism spectrum and thought he was too as i watched your video. I'm 73 now and was an artist/designer most of my life. The video made me cry because i understand only too well what it is like to be sidelined, misunderstood and even shunned.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Autism is finally being understood and talked about so hopefully younger generations will have an easier time.

[@andrearock2208]

He could draw and paint but he was a weirdo!!!!

[@shuddupeyaface]

I have never been diagnosed - it's a wide spectrum. But I understand your post exactly.

[@_letstartariot]

@@andrearock2208and?

[@edithhenson6917]

Just about everybody is somewhere on the “spectrum”. Vincent Van Gogh had serious mental illness. He likely had Bipolar. It didn’t help that he put paint brushes with chemicals on them in his mouth. He also suffered from malnutrition by spending his money on art supplies instead of food much of the time. He really did suffer in so many way. I

[@_letstartariot]

Hearing about Vincent and Theo’s relationship always makes me feel emotional. Vincent was so misunderstood. But his little brother loved him and cared about him.

[@user-ze8zo5uv2s]

Why do you think that Van was misunderstood? Lots of people say it in comments. Why?

[@debralea5330]

​@@user-ze8zo5uv2s Probably because he was sent away as a child, then put away as an adult. It seems many people, fellow artists, even his own family found him hard to understand.

[@ginabadeaux9319]

my passion for painting and art is immense ,i became bipolar when i was 19,i am 64 and live alone,i paint everyday and watch art videos all day,thank you ,i relate to him in an artistic way,

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@karenann5090]

God love you. I 68, widowed, not diagnosed with anything but grief over my husband’s passing. I also paint every day and it’s not easy, but it’s what I am moved to do. I can understand not eating well. I just don’t want to stop long enough to cook! 😂

[@rebeccajarvis2652]

I feel the same way. I'm so out of it and trumatized by life and ignored and scorned by humans I can't sell my work.

[@NareLusinyan]

Աստված բոլորիդ Օգնական։Լավը միշտ գողանում են տիրանում են եւ' ..., գիտեն բոլորը։Տառապանքը երկատվելու արդյունք է եւ դա' Տիեզերական է,նայած թե' տվյալ արվեստագետը, մտավորականը ոգով է հորինում թե' Հոգով է ստեղծում։Գաղջն է երկատվողը,ինքնագտնումը,լրացումը' անձին դնում է մեկ ուղղության վրա,չի կարող լինել երկու Տիրոջ ծառա։Մեկը կտա Հոգու Փրկություն Հարաճուն Արարման վիճակ,մյուսը' հարստություն փառք ու' դժոխք։Ընտրությունը' քոնն է։Եւ։Կարեւորը մահանալը չէ,այլ այն,թե ով ինչ է թողնում եւ ըստ իր գործերի արդյունքի' մահից հետո ուր է գնում։Դժվարը' ԱՍՏՎԱԾԸՆՏՐՅԱԼՆԵՐԻ ճանապարհն է,սակայն ՏԵՐԸ միշտ Է Օգնական եւ ԻՐ ՏՎԱԾ Հայտնություններով Օգնում Է Իրենիններին։Այստեղ է ճշմարիտ գրիչը, վրձինը' համբերությանբ մնում Արարչագործության մեջ,համոզված իր Առաքելության մեջ,չի մրցում,սակայն վերջինը լինելով հանդերձ գիտի որ տեղ է հասել վաղուց։Երկար չասեմ,Սերը միշտ Հաղթող է եւ ՎԵՀ։❤+**12 Գնահատողը Մեծ է Գնահատվողից,0 ի առջեւ թե' որեւէ մի թիվ լինի,նրա արժեքը կմեծանա տասնապատիկով։ԶՐՈՆ' բազմացնում է միմիայն ԱՐԺԵՔԸ...+**12

[@zajournals]

By far, my favorite artist. I shed tears at his grave, and thanked him, as well as Theo.

[@heatherbeach4696]

My favorite artist as well... for many reasons! Love him

[@inwonderland4460]

Beautiful and profoundly sad. Brilliant analysis and storytelling. As someone who lost their only sibling, also an artist, to mental illness, I burst into tears upon hearing of his death. Inevitable, a release, no surprise, but the way you let his life unfold, leading up to his demise, filled me with such sorrow. Thank you for your rich, layered, human analysis. I believe you did Vincent proud.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you for such a generous comment.

[@alisturkericmacnanty159]

This is one of the BEST overviews of Van Goghs life I have ever heard...it's a keeper!!! ❤

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@hansolo2121]

*Van Gogh

[@robingrant1965]

This is one of the best documentary on Van Gogh! It was beautiful! It was insightful! Though he appeared to have many issues he was able to create such beauty despite going through so much pain! I love his work and read his letters to his brother! 👏🏾👏🏾

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@victoriach1945]

I'm a semi-retired classical musician with not much interest in art or artists. But your van Gogh video held my interest and I subsequently stayed for the pictures. Poor van Gogh. As someone with an uncle a lot like van Gogh as well as having suffered mental health issues of my own, how I wish that van Gogh lived today. He'd have been more understood.

[@claudiabothma]

@@victoriach1945 A beautiful sentiment. I am an artist now in my 50's and tragically, people havn't evolved. They are still small minded unfortunately, and I find that people look down on artists. I have known many, including 1 of my teachers that died a pauper and struggled to sell his incredible art his whole life. Blessings and thank you for appreciating Van Gogh.

[@Carmela-el7fi]

He loved who he called the potato people

[@jeffforsythe9514]

None of his work was beautiful, ugly warped stuff, second only to Picasso, who really demonized art. But mankind cast out the Divine decades ago and cannot discern right from wrong any more...........................Falun Dafa

[@RayR]

My heart always aches for Van Gogh. His suffering was considerable, his words to his brother beautiful and sad.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I think this is why his art is so loved.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

But his works were ugly, what a con that was. Art and beauty should be synonymous. Look at the true works of art in this world. Beautiful, not full of pain but still invoking compassion.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

We are all here to suffer but his work certainly does not cheer me up nor fill me with awe, just ugly stuff. Picasso even more so.

[@margaretlawes2664]

,​@@jeffforsythe9514

[@mrsx7944]

He was a very difficult man to get along with apparently.

[@mdaddy775]

I'd say just about everyone with mental health issues feels some affinity with Van Gogh and the way he expressed his torment and struggles. You do an excellent job exploring the man. Thank you!

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@Paretozen]

Tomorrow I'll be visiting the van Gogh museum. Tho I never was touched by his art, I am touched by him as a person. Having read some of his letters. And then this documentary. Perhaps now I will look at his work differently. Always keeping in mind the period in which it was painted. What a character. Living so intense. No human can endure that a lifetime.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I think understanding the person helps to appreciate their art.

[@thomaslucia3059]

I felt the exact same way. After reading about his life and history, the pathos of his struggle and the bitterest irony of his eventual fame and adoration/acknowledgement took hold of my heart. When I visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, I cried the entire time. The small portrait he did of Theo became my favorite - beautiful and deeply poignant.

[@vanessamedeiros1489]

When I got in Van Gogh ´s room at the Musee´Dorsay in Paris I was so moved it brought me to tears. A couple of years later I was lucky enough to take my granddaughters to see some of his paintings in Rio de Janeiro. I´ve loved Van Gogh since I was 16 and I read and watch anything that can bring more information about his brilliant works and sad life. Thank you for this worderful video !

[@TaliaAdira]

I commented before completely watching the video. What a tragic life stemming from a misunderstanding that Vincent issues were not intellect but suffering from the ignorance of others. Vincent and Theo had each other- and that shows how much the good will of others makes a difference and makes a difference.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I agree, Theo may not have applied the paint, but without his years of support , it would be a case of Van Who?

[@jeffforsythe9514]

He was just another nut case demonizing the art world. Art and beauty should be synonymous, not art and insanity. It just shows us how warped people have become. Picasso is another good example, what trash.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Van Gogh was a nut case, quite simple, but seeing how the entire world has become warped, people call rubbish art and screaming singing. Porn is common and homosexuality is good, what a shame........................Falun Dafa

[@deborahtilling7173]

Only knew the song starry starry night by Don McLean. I came across your amazing story in the wee hours of today and i was captivated. Truly the world was never meant for one as beautiful as Vincent. What a tortured, tormented man. So creative and yet so misunderstood. Rejected by so many feeling lost and abandoned in his own world without anyone trying to find him.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@AnithaS-yj3cq]

Paintings and dreams go hand in hand insane person can't imaginatory perception of nature around him and select colors on his board to mix and bring color on picture may be he z stubborn and didn't get whom he loved changed his behaviour we woman can't understand the feelings of a man

[@julieboice180]

Mental illness is still misunderstood and people feel alienated and unloved at times

[@AnithaS-yj3cq]

@@julieboice180 that's what I meant vicent z playing with colors brush strokes and nature simply we can't blame them by saying disturbed words we lovers feel hurt with those words when applying them he look so innocent no matter he has grown up but no one gave love except his brother what ? You can't buy affection with money some people won't yield he is still on paintings so many people immitate his style of dressing now also also they act mental to immitate n show vincent was like this who needs all that show his painting family and his life you hv to omitte some😁

[@dondamon4669]

He was also a beastly man and a known sex offender

[@monicacall7532]

As a former grade school teacher my first thought was that Van Gogh was on the autism spectrum because of the difficulties he had with his basic interactions with other individuals. He exhibited almost textbook neuro-divergent behavior. Mental illness is such a scourge! It robs a person of the ability to truly be themselves. It’s a big issue on both sides of my family and I have seen and personally experienced it’s devastating effects. I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like to be so mentally ill and have no real medication or other treatments available to deal with the illness. Even in these supposedly enlightened times too many people still believe that mental illness is a personal failure to deal with life and not the physical disease that it truly is. Van Gogh has my love and admiration for bringing such truth and beauty to our world in spite of the physical and mental illness issues that plagued his sadly too short life. Isn’t it ironic that the man who struggled to sell his paintings during his life is now internationally respected and loved the world over. I have to hope that wherever and whatever sphere he now inhabits that he’s able to see how much beauty and joy his paintings have brought numberless people in the 133 years since his tragic death in 1890.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you for a such an uplifting comment.

[@lesliehilesgardener6959]

Totally beautiful people need others support, my desire even if it HURTS....love to You

[@CSchaeken]

It is generally accepted that Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime. I have just recently discovered who bought it. It was bought by Anna Boch (1848-1936), she was a Belgian impressionist painter. She knew Van Gogh, who painted a portrait of her brother Eugène. The painting is called ‘The red vineyard ‘. There was an exhibition of Anna’s work in Ostend , Belgium recently . I love your videos Dr Yorston.👍❤️

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you. It is still hard to believe that she was the only one who bought one his pictures before he died.

[@voyaristika5673]

Unlike other body organs the brain is so mysterious, it's functioning so elusive. Thankfully Theodore stayed by Vincent's side. It's all so sad. I really appreciate this synopsis of Van Gogh's life as I knew nothing of his story aside from the ear, of course. I hope you keep producing your videos. They're all so good.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, I'm certainly planning to keep producing videos - any suggestions for topics?

[@jeffforsythe9514]

The brain is merely like the cockpit of an airplane and the pilot is the soul...................Falun Dafa.

[@LauraLoyland1969]

​@@professorgraemeyorstonif you've not already done a video about Nikola Tesla I would suggest him as he and Vincent Van Gogh are two men I'm wanting to learn more about. And btw, this was my first documentary on Van Gogh and I thought it was so brilliant that I'm afraid if I were to watch any others it might cloud or take away from what I've already learned here with my discerning eye 🙂

[@Pazaluz]

​@@LauraLoyland1969There's a very good and recent documentary about Tesla on KZbin, i believe it's over 2 hours long. Worth the watch imo ^^

[@pamelaturnbull4344]

When studying History of Art at Uni (in the late 60's) we were informed that Van Gogh most likely had syphilis and consequently went mad. Your ideas though, make much more sense to me when absorbing Vincent's vision of his world. Thank You x

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Interesting. Syphilis isn't a very popular theory nowadays, when I started psychiatry it was the absinthe that many people believed was the cause!

[@mrsx7944]

​@@professorgraemeyorstonYou don't think he had syphilis/ gonorrhea? The last Dr who treated him said he did.

[@stevepayne5965]

It's the historian's go-to to explain somebody's behaviour and/or death - don't know? Say it was syphilis!

[@TuckerSP2011]

Brilliant biography, very artistically done too! It definitely brought Vincent to life for me.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@melissastreeter22]

My goodness. What a lovely channel. Elegantly produced and presented. Everything just right.

[@andrewharald]

Hi 🤗

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Wow, thank you!

[@barbaravoss7014]

Thank you for this lovely video. Besides being a great painter, van Gogh was also a great writer. His letters to Theo are eloquent, self-searching, honest and often life-affirming. They are a reflection of a high intelligence and self-insight.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I agree, his letters are very poignant.

[@shivahiremath6334]

I have always been a fan of Vincent ,since when I had read the biographycal novel, ' Lust for life' by Irving Stone, some 50 years back. He is an Artist , whose name will remain in The History Of World Art.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

He was demonized and so was his work. Ugly junk, what a con job.

[@carolinegray7510]

Dr. Yorston; I loved your thoughts about Vincent and Theo. It was empathetic and filled with kindness. The conference to establish what Vincent's illness was might have come to a solution if each participant had no ego. You were right, though, what mattered was what Vincent accomplished despite his limitations and disabilities. And looking at what he accomplished fills my heart with awe. Vincent's paintings alone tell us the entire story of Vincent. You told a very loving and beautiful story fairly portraying Vincent. I sincerely appreciated your effort.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@evewilliams7629]

As a mother of a young adult with ASD and an avid Van Gogh fan, I have to agree with you. I also have a "typical" son who is younger and the dynamic between Vincent and his brother Theo remind me very much of my son's relationship with each other. I'm glad things have changed for people with ASD since then. It is still not widely understood but is now much more accepted.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I think understanding often leads to acceptance and in the Victorian any non-conventional behaviour was seen as moral weakness.

[@justincase2226]

What a hard life Van Gogh had. To think he produced such beautiful artwork is remarkable.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

There are few signs of his struggles in his paintings.

[@markczarny7088]

Vincent knew what suffering was and shared this whilst living with the miners ,that was true suffering.

[@mknels1299]

I'm an artist with a similar life

[@markczarny7088]

@@mknels1299 In suffering you develop spirituality abundant in Vincent's paintings

[@catherinegriessel56]

Thank you so much for this empathic telling of this tortured genius

[@aprilcrooke3281]

I appreciate how you present your information. I find it very interesting. Thank you for taking time to share your insight.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@tracya.schneider7698]

I LOVE your summary...that an illness, physical or mental, should NEVER define a person... I have mental illness in my family...and I myself have anxiety and depression. I thank you for trying to debunk the art historians' saying his use of color, brush strokes and way of seeing his subjects/landscapes/rooms/still life are all due to his "insanity." He seemed to me to be a VERY sensitive person who felt deeply, whether feeling insufficient to his family, misunderstood by (ALMOST) everyone, and unloved by the men and women he tried to love. So sad...people who are constantly rejected can never find their center of confidence. We all need to have reciprocal love.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Not exactly, he was demonized and so was his ugly work. Same with Picasso. Of course you will reject these thoughts but they are true.

[@trishgreen2892]

​@@jeffforsythe9514 So, are you from China, Russia or Israel? You're doing a marvelous job of trolling.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

@@trishgreen2892 And you imagine that insulting me puts you above me, laughable.

[@trishgreen2892]

@@jeffforsythe9514 I imagine nothing of the sort. Ask yourself if you fit any of these descriptions? In slang, a troll is a person who posts or makes inflammatory, insincere, digressive,[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages online (such as in social media, a newsgroup, a forum, a chat room, an online video game) or in real life, with the intent of provoking others into displaying emotional responses,[2] or manipulating others' perception, thus acting as a bully or a provocateur. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(slang)

[@helenaleahy9396]

Unbelievable talent,honesty in his paintings is rare and showing how disturbing his life was. I love his work ❤

[@libbyneves5457]

He was driven to do something memorable, to leave a legacy. His last burst of creativity-a painting a day- is a superhuman achievement. Thousands of small thick strokes, layered over and over. What a gift he left for us. Memorable in-deed.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I think he knew he was running out of time.

[@libbyneves5457]

@@professorgraemeyorston Absolutely

[@vicvega3614]

Painting couldve been an obsession, ocd and bi polar.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

Insanity and art do not mix, art and beauty are synonymous. Argue all you want but it just shows how lost everyone has become. Great works of art sometimes take years, not days. It the same with music today, the so-called artist says he wrote his song while sitting on the toilet, no kidding, who would have guessed. The world has lost its ability to discern right from wrong. Sad.

[@Swat-ed5bt]

Im an artist. Van Gogh is one of my heroes and this is an excellent documentary! ❤

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@harveybliss8003]

@@professorgraemeyorstontime for Issac Newton

[@SurprisedAirplane-xs5ge]

Bs

[@SurprisedAirplane-xs5ge]

Bs

[@pauldegregorio6432]

Visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam a couple of months ago. EXCELLENT art and compelling story. Couldn’t wait to put my eyes upon Starry Night. After I had seen it all I asked my daughter where they were hiding it. She looked at me in disbelief and said “it’s in MOMA in NYC. I felt defeated and sad!😮 Felt like visiting the Tower of London only to find out that the Crown Jewels were on permanent display in Detroit.

[@justbecauseOK]

the paintings are scattered all over the world, most of the really great ones are not in Holland.

[@kellygreene6752]

Please, if you can, go to MOMA. We took a trip to NYC with that particularly in mind. Beautiful, breathless…

[@patrickturner2788]

My children on their Dutch mothers side are decendants of Maria Van Gogh his second cousin. Found this out visiting the family cemetery in Holland.

[@vickusjka4158]

Wow, that must have been amazing to find out! Cool!

[@justbecauseOK]

My brother has Aspergers Syndrome. He exhibits so many qualities similar to Van Gogh. When i listen to the professors descriptions of Vincent's behaviour and illnesses , it is quite uncanny how it sounds just like my brother in almost every aspect.

[@michaelkalinski5061]

When I was a dradual student in Biochemistry in the 1960's I had (as all creative people) my own hard moments. I encountered citations from Vinsent's letters to his brother. It helped me to overcome my temporal total despear and gave me strength to finish my investigations. This biography is simply the best!

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@saralang9677]

Fabulous! I have studied him and admired him all my life, without ever understanding him, as no-one does, I suspect. This brought me to tears - such a tragic story. This is the first of your videos I have seen. I hope there are many more. Thank you

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it - there are plenty more to choose from. Other painters include Richard Dadd and Louis Wain, with Frida Kahlo coming up next week.

[@saralang9677]

@@professorgraemeyorston Wonderful!

[@55marise]

The best documentary I’ve ever seen, so informative, I want to visit all the places he lived & worked. I’m colour blind, but his pictures to me are so Vivid, The song says it all about this Man, The world was never meant for one as beautiful as he .

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, it is well worth following the van Gogh trail, I particularly enjoyed Arles and St Remy.

[@STR82DVD]

You had me at Van Gogh Doc. Brilliant critique. Huge thanks from a grateful teacher.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, what age/level do you teach?

[@STR82DVD]

@@professorgraemeyorston I'm instructing Ontario Grade 7 Special Needs students. Typically, I'm presenting maths and/or science course material.

[@r.w.bottorff7735]

I appreciate the attention to detail. His works were pictured chronologically, following the course of his life with the telling of his story. Thank you.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you. One or two of the self portraits are out of sequence, but I tried to keep the others chronological.

[@angelaosborn6722]

Have Trigeminal Neuralgia, Geniculate Neuralgia, Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia, and loud Tinnitus with hearing loss since 2007. Was hurt in a 7 hour unnecessary salivary gland surgery in my city in the U.S. In 2009, no one understood what was causing my severe electrical, stabbing pain attacks. Also in 2009, i visited my brother who's lived in The Nederlands for decades now. Got to see The Van Gogh Museum, and immediately fell in love with his distinct artwork. It's amazing, that even with his disabilities, he was enabled anyway in life, with his beautiful art.💗

[@donnasloane9031]

The movement in every one of his paintings send me........there can never be a proper description...A class of his own.....

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Agreed.

[@martinkingston1498]

I chanced upon this study of Van Gogh's life, and it has definitely given me a far greater insight into the inner workings of this very brilliant, but tortured man, an artistic genius without whose wayward path those remarkable works may never have come into being. It does make one wonder if we would even know of him at all if his early trajectory had resulted instead in a happy marriage, or a more successful role in the church? He clearly was searching for the intimacy borne of physical union, a sense of connectedness, in addition to a deeper metaphysical transcendence, and the anguish of those early denials/ rejections must have weighed very heavily on both his heart and head. Add to this the terribly chaotic nature of much of his adult life, and the sense of failure he felt. It must have been torment for someone with such an incredible artistic vision, the constant fear of poverty, loneliness and madness. This piece on Vincent was beautifully and sensitively done. It's the least he deserved.

[@kareng2036]

This is one of the best narrated biographies I’ve listened to in KZbin. Love your videos! You keep the listener engaged and your stories are clear and full of detail ❤

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Wow, thank you!

[@BJones-yw4dd]

I agree. I recently attended the traveling von Gogh exhibition and while it was lovely and sad and impressive, THIS brought van Gogh far closer to me than any expensive expo. Thank you for your hard work and expertise!

[@sherriebrown6467]

I struggle with mental illness. I feel for Van Gogh.

[@honey-feeney9800]

There are ma y of us

[@honey-feeney9800]

His inability to express himself verbally and use his art to communicate . What would our modern medical world diagnose ?

[@ay-tj7pj]

Most geniuses can't communicate like a normal person so people would label them "weird". I pity for all the geniuses, they are often not appreciated.

[@firebyrd437]

My grandson has autism and ADHD, and his behaviour mimics Vincent's, except it's more severe. He's an adult now. One thing that stood out to me is that he speaks proper English. we, being Scottish, have a very pronounced accent that he doesn't use. This makes me wonder if he hears differently from us. Vincent, taking his own life, suggests to me that the pain he felt mentally was more than he could withstand, a breaking point as such. Only those who have had this kind of pain can truly understand it, and the need to shut it down. Vincent had his brother, who sustained him through that pain for many years. Otherwise, I doubt he could have continued on for as long as he did

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I'm sure you're right.

[@theoneandonly1158]

Nope. I'm autistic and nope. I don't behave like that.

[@mrsx7944]

​​@@trishgreen2892 everyone says they're "on the spectrum" these days. It's become a generic label that's overused.

[@mrsx7944]

​​​@@trishgreen2892EVERY person is unique. Not just people who THINK they have autism .🤦‍♀ Self absorbed much??️

[@trishgreen2892]

@@mrsx7944 RUSSIAN TROLL: I LOVE RUSSIA!

[@MiamiWebDesign]

This was a very well-made and deep look into the life and work of Van Gogh. Thank you for this video.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sherizapara2992]

I admire his work, I found a book..."Dear Theo", in an antique store...it's old. I so enjoy reading about how he felt...about himself & his devotion to his brother. Thankyou for this film!!

[@professorgraemeyorston]

The letters are very poignant

[@virginiasoskin9082]

Yes, as a painting major in college I read this in the early 1970s. It is quite revealing.

[@user-tl8zp2vs3e]

This is an excellent pathway into Vincent’s life and work. Thank you for your time and research into a creative life that continues to touch so many others, day after day.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

My pleasure.

[@user-tl8zp2vs3e]

@@professorgraemeyorston ps. I am not sure if you were aware that Vincent had been diagnosed with auditory nerve dysfunction (this detail was discovered in a letter to Theo)

[@indirai.v5262]

Thank you for this video. Beautiful relationship between two brothers

[@professorgraemeyorston]

It was indeed.

[@mart-greciaOdalyz]

Listening to the quiet passion in your voice; tempered and yet showing an impatience to be recognized, I know that you love Vincent. I am so happy and grateful to hear this. I thank you. His letters to both his brother and his wife were also works of art. I bow to Vincent's work at whatever museum I find him. And people look at me, wondering with narrowing eyes What I'm doing. But I don't care.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I say, do what feels right to you.

[@mart-greciaOdalyz]

@@professorgraemeyorston What I intend to do is continue to bow to Vincent through his work. The Detroit Institute of Art had Vincent's work on display. I bowed to it. A woman who had been watching me came next to me and asked me why I had bowed. And so I told her, it was my way of honouring the artist. To this, she said 'How quaint.' Then, wandered away. Thank you for your words.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

You obviously have become obsessed, not a healthy attitude.

[@mart-greciaOdalyz]

@@jeffforsythe9514 If I am obsessed, that is my business and not yours. Do not be so assumptive as to what's healthy or not. We are all different from one another. Let's be that way and be thankful we are not all the same. Your comment reminds me of a line from 1984. And it was far from healthy.

[@jeffforsythe9514]

@@mart-greciaOdalyz WE are all living 1984 and you have been so lost for so ling that you think that it is normal, all humans are like me. Mankind has caste out all sense of the Divine, horrible. Mankind now has the same religion, gluttony. Insanity is art, a piece of rubber poop is a toy, hip hop and rap are music, speed is a virtue, just the opposite is true The truth is that we are all the same, warped. Work is bad, everyone is a fun seeker while the truth is that God put us here to suffer to remove the sin from our souls but instead we have chosen a dark path, very dangerous.....................Falun Dafa

[@TheNavco1]

10/10 very well done. i cant even put into words how deeply this moved me, i am a artist mentality struggling , so thankyou very much. If you do Leonardo da Vinci i will for ever be in your debt.:)

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, Leonardo is on the list!

[@PennyDavis-cm9tl]

I do.my best work when I struggle emotionally

[@ramanipereira6350]

That was fantastic. I learnt so much about VG. I am sad for him that he did not get the recognition he should have in his lifetime. Thank you

[@philiptownsend4026]

That was an excellent documentary, thoroughly absorbing. I have been an amateur student of Vincent's life and work for about the last fifty years, have visited many of his painting locations including Arles which is still a beautiful city, he chose well to live there, I made those pilgrimages as themes for touring holidays. One interesting coincidence is that I was born exactly 100 years after Vincent. You showed me a lot of new material that I did not see or know of before, you must have been a very thorough researcher. I shall look for more videos by you Sir!

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, welcome aboard.

[@derycktrahair8108]

Another Great doco. Thanks for sharing your Medical side with your love of History.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thanks for watching.

[@mariellouise1]

A splendid and thoughtful documentary. Besides the story of his life and trails, I greatly appreciate the explanation of the mental diseases that he might have suffered. His work speaks for his life.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@vickicarol1733]

Thank you for your in depth story of Van Gogh. I have copied ten of his paintings and find his work remarable. The Energy, the thickness of his paint, the emotion it envokes all helped me understand him on a deeper level. I am giving a slide show presentation next week and you story line was useful to me. A big thank you.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad it was helpful - good luck with the show!

[@sherkinbrain]

Autumn 2023 I visited Arles, Saintes Maries-de-la-Mer, the asylum in Saint Remy, and Auvers-sur-Oise. Finally, I visited the exhibition of his 'final works' at Musee d'Orsay in Paris. All of this over a six-week period. For me, the overwhelming experience was entering his reconstructed bedroom in the beauty of the asylum surroundings. When I visited the cemetery in Auvers, it was early morning - there wasn't another soul to be seen. I asked myself: 'where should the grave be situated? I saw the early morning sunshine point the way, and without hesitation, turned to my left. Within 30 seconds, I found the ivy-covered burial site.. I lay my hands on both headstones and shed tears. Tears of joy and gratitude.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Sounds a wonderful experience

[@virginiasoskin9082]

Wow,, lucky you!!

[@paigetomkinson1137]

This was an extremely well done documentary! I've watched several, and seen most of the movies, but this doc had details the others lacked. Bravo on a job well done. BTW, isn't it possible that he could have been on the spectrum, but that all of the toxic elements in his life-lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic-all in the paints- just exacerbated his already developed symptoms of Asperger's?

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, people on the spectrum have higher rates of mental illness generally and each of those factors could have caused a toxic delirium but it would have been an additional condition rather than a worsening of his autism.

[@Over60sowhat]

So encouraging and beautifully told. Thank you.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@hoozerob]

Thank you for presenting these videos with care, empathy, humanity and fairness. You make these videos enlightening, educational and interesting. They don't seem like so many others out there that seem like were hastily pieced together for clicks and likes.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

That's my intention, thank you.

[@thecampondroctonhill2113]

You’re telling of his life evoked a deep sadness in me. I’m an artist and have spent much of my life feeling misunderstood. Although not as profoundly as all this. My Mother often told me that the artist’s spirit is troubled. I’ve always had to remove myself from people from time to time just to regroup. It seems Theo was as emotionally dependent on Vincent as Vincent was on Theo.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

It seems that Vincent had more than his fair share of troubles.

[@paulfasse8032]

Excellent historical video on Van Gogh. Well Done! 👏

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@homafattahi4073]

Thank you so much for this rich informing analysis about an exceptional artist.Of course there are always indispensable characters behind the overachievers without whose supporting presence there would be no known genius.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Very true.

[@suefrancis8277]

Thank you so much for your kind and thorough documentary on my all time favourite painter. I was studying him, and other Impressionist painters, in the early 60s. Intending to go to Art School. But, little had changed, from 19th Century views, I had no encouragement, within my family. I read of Vincent’s life however, became so obsessed at one point, when I was around 13.. I remember thinking I must have been him, reincarnated! I was an aitheist, now a Christian. I don’t believe in reincarnation now. But I do still love and appreciate his paintings. And you have given a thorough depiction of Vincent as a truly caring, compassionate man. I hope he found the peace which eluded him in life. Thank you

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@brisvegas859]

Very insightful take on Vincent's life. Well done

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@djquinn11]

Very interesting and insightful video, I really enjoyed this. Such a brilliant artist and sad life.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Couldn't agree more!

[@iveyao120]

Love your videos as always

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you like them!

[@Darrigrande]

Thank you Professor for giving us a complete diferent perception of a great, but completely misunderstood genious.

[@virginiasoskin9082]

Very well done. I have a BFA in Painting and M. Ed. in Art. When I taught art, it was always difficult to try to explain Van Gogh's mental illness, especially to middle schoolers who always immediately wanted to know all about the ear removal ( I was teaching art 40 years ago). Your autism spectrum speculation (not very familiar to the general public back when I was teaching) seems like a good one because it would explain his difficulty with establishing lasting social relationships, with family, colleagues in the work place, art professors, other painters. When he was trying to be a missionary to the peasants he made more enemies than friends. I think he was desperate to make friends and felt that hanging out in cafes or around brothels was one way to casually meet up with people, find sitters for portraits among the cafe workers and townspeople like the post master. I think he was happiest when painting; he was able to forget himself and become one with the act of creation. Hours pass when absorbed in art work. I often wonder if Vincent had remained alive for another ten years whether his work might have been noticed and BOUGHT by patrons. But Theo died so shortly after Vincent did, that his money stream would have dried up. I think Van Gogh is such an appealing art figure because of his brilliant use of color and the energy so evident in his work. Just this evening my husband was reading a headline on his cell phone about the fact that in Starry Night Vincent was painting wind turbulence. No other artist has done that that I can think of -- maybe in The Raft of the Medusa or some ocean disaster......others think he may have had imperfect eyesight which caused auras to appear around stars and interior lamps and lights, and that he painted those auras as he saw them. In art classes in public school, we generally focused on four artists each year from grades 6-8. So our students knew 12 artists in depth by the time they moved on to high school. Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Andrew Wyeth (we were in the USA), Leonardo, Monet, Seurat, Michelangelo, and others. I loved teaching those artists and the kids enjoyed it too. I always hoped that in future years if and when they had the chance to go to Paris, London or Amsterdam, they could visit a world class museum and have some knowledge of what they were looking at. Thanks again for this.

[@pbunting5143]

Van Gogh suffered from a closed minded society, as we all do.

[@judy4183]

Yes blue hair and sodomy is so much better

[@Michelle6998832]

Sorry for getting off topic here, but I love the colorful bird in your profile pic! Do you happen to know what breed it is?

[@pbunting5143]

@@Michelle6998832 It's a Painted Bunting

[@hi-wy7ph]

We truly live in a society

[@pbunting5143]

@@Michelle6998832 A Painted Bunting

[@gregbowen617]

Fantastic documentary on my favourite artist! He was a brilliant, troubled, misunderstood man who stood out from his peers as so different that rejection was easier than understanding…have you considered doing Salvador Dali ? He was strange…

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, yes Dali is on my radar!

[@flowstate6769]

I’m calling it early again. This channel will be as big as Great Art Explained 🙌🏾🙌🏾😂. Godspeed!

[@stevehuffaker1885]

Robert Altman's Vincent and Theo is an excellent 1990 film worth seeking .

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Great film.

[@cherylween4973]

Wow! That was very interesting. It's a shame we will never know the true cause of Vincent's illness.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, I think it adds to his mystery.

[@terrypitt-brooke8367]

just as lovely as the first installment! BTW, do you enjoy House, MD? If you are expanding your purview to include fictional characters, House might be a good study.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, I have thought about looking at fictional characters - but there are a few more real people I want to focus on first!

[@BarB2-90Nine]

They understand his Talent now His painting stir life into me long ago and started to paint I love it Van is One of my favorites ❣️

[@keith919]

Watching this after visiting the Van Gogh Alive exhibit earlier. I can’t get over it! ❤

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@audreymuzingo933]

How about MERCURY? When you mentioned it earlier in the narration, my immediate thought was "Syphilis + mercury sure sounds like a perfect cocktail for insanity." We don't know how much he was taking (if any at all), but if that was the treatment for syphilis of the day, maybe he was taking enough to cause the telltale symptoms: delirium, hallucinations, and suicidal tendency.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Mercury is certainly toxic and it is another possibility- but there are so many possibly contributory factors.

[@PennyDavis-cm9tl]

I understand he suffered fr Bi Polar

[@poetryjones7946]

🙏🏼🌟PLEASE can you do one on British Surrealist LEONORA CARRINGTON? Born into wealth, brought out as a “debutante “ in the 30’s (read her short story “The Debutante “, fascinating!) she later ran away to Paris with surrealist painter Max Ernst, was forced to flee to Spain when the Nazis put him in a concentration camp, was forced into a Spanish mental asylum by her controlling father & received heinous treatment there. She eventually escaped to Mexico where she remained for the rest of her life, churning out a huge body of surrealist works; mainly paintings but also books, sculpture, plays and more. In the comment below I’ll link a really awesome documentary made by her great-niece, it’s here on KZbin. I love your channel & just subbed. Keep up the great work! ❤

[@poetryjones7946]

Leonora Carrington, “The Lost Surrealist”, super comprehensive and fascinating account of Leonora: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pabOoYWDfrV8ic0si=f9iaMCyVkYmdiUxm

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, great suggestion she is definitely on my radar.

[@poetryjones7946]

@@professorgraemeyorston Yayyyy! Excited❣️ Your presentations are so fascinating and well performed!

[@joclothier5536]

I have only just discovered your channel.I was captivated from the start.I’m looking forward to more of your videos.Jo

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Welcome aboard!

[@Iamlearningtolove]

I've never heard one of your videos before, but I found this incredibly...realistic....and containing many thoughts, common to my own. Thank you for this! 💖🙏💖

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Welcome aboard!

[@lyndonreddick1888]

It was a shame that more of his works weren't bought or appreciated, bolstering his self-esteem. He was definitely a man who could have used a bit more human kindness.

[@mrsx7944]

His brother was extremely kind to him.

[@MicaFarrierRheayan]

He is an endearing person...my idol!

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I think his frailty and false starts makes him more endearing.

[@MicaFarrierRheayan]

@@professorgraemeyorston yes, it makes him human. Also, he just want to be loved. He pour all the despair onto his art

[@jenfnp]

I agree. While the Van Gough museum in Amsterdam was amazing, visiting Arles and St Remy brought a level of connection I didn’t expect.🙏

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I think the scenery and the light and the air helps.

[@johnkingsley9525]

A very interesting and educational video not the type of paintings I would buy (if I had the money) but the most interesting part was at the end where you go over all the mental conditions that are possible and at that point I said a quiet prayer to God thanking Him for my happy and healthy life.🙏

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you - yes Vincent had a tough life.

[@TheHeadMilliner-xl4tg]

I honestly believe that he suffered from Heavy Metal poisoning from the paints that he used. Artists always licked their brushes. Lead and mercury were found in paints from those days. I suffered from mercury poisoning and my experiences are very similar. I felt like I had acute autism. It was frightening. Many artists suffered from this but people just put it down to artistic temperament. :( :(

[@professorgraemeyorston]

It may have been a contributory factor, but he had mental health problems long before he started using oils.

[@justbecauseOK]

artists certainly DO NOT lick their brushes. They can absorb the toxins through the skin of the fingers and hands, accidental touching of the paint is almost unavoidable in a busy studio setting.

[@angelaosborn6722]

Have Trigeminal Neuralgia, Geniculate Neuralgia, Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia and loud Tinnitus with hearing loss since 2007. In about 2009, no one knew what was causing my severe electrical & stabbing pain attacks. Was hurt by a surgeon by an unnecessary 7 hour salivary gland surgery in my city in the United States. Also in about 2009, i visited my brother, who had lived in The Nederlands many decades. Visited this Van Gogh Museum & immediately fell in love with his distinct art. Had already battled Degenerative Joint disease a lot. It's amazing what he did with struggling with such a difficult disability. He was enabled by it; and he didn't let it define him at all.💗

[@genericrobin6597]

I have been hoping Hollywood might tell the story of female artist Artemesia Gentileschi but .. hint hint... you'd do it so much better. 😊

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, she is certainly an interesting character - I wish I had a Hollywood budget though!

[@1stEarlOfSurrey]

Hi, a (drama) film about Artemesia was made in 1997 by Agnes Merlet, but maybe you know this already..?

[@lassnxtdoor8649]

Thank u for showing full details of his life. He's an inspiration for me.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@heldofhil7]

Your videos are truly enriching.❤

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@WVgrl59]

I wish that his mother hadn't burned so many of his paintings after his death.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

It seems unthinkable now.

[@lifendeathchzlife5159]

Sounds like he was tormented by demons.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

He was, internal ones.

[@deborahfairbanks4012]

I love your videos. This one brought me to tears...

[@TM-yn4iu]

Again, a truly brilliant presentation - combining facts, pictures and audio. Impressive and much appreciated.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mhrgall]

I cannot explain how much your videos have made to my life.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you're enjoying them.

[@jeffreyolin7842]

Thank you for this in depth look into the life of this tortured genius. I absolutely love his art work! It does make me so sad that he had such suffering.

[@TrojanAtTheGates]

This is very well put together & comprehendible, with minimal fluff.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you.

[@hank1519]

Extraordinary documentary! Thank you so much!

[@imtheeternalscholar]

I really enjoy your channel, thankyou. As a newly diagnosed Auti/ADHD, I understand the struggle he went through. It wasn’t picked up until all the rest of my family were diagnosed. I’m grateful to have been diagnosed now. When I was growing up, girls didn’t “get” Autism or ADHD. It was a boy “thing”. Thank God they have learned so much since I was a child. Many thanks for your channel.😊

[@partialartsblackbelt8384]

I’ve watched a lot of VG documentaries and this one had info I haven’t heard before. Thanks!

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Glad you found in interesting.

[@bebrianon7186]

Theo and his wife would each (individually, collectively or triangularly) make for a fascinating film. Their own personal biographies are truly compelling. She, in particular, engaged much variety in her own relatively short life, remaining open to engaging much few women of her era would consider.

[@professorgraemeyorston]

I agree, Johanna was instrumental in her brother in law's posthumous fame. There is a film version of her in development based on Camilo Sanchez' book "The Van Goghs' Widow".

[@bebrianon7186]

Ta!@@professorgraemeyorston

[@annapoole132]

Just found your channel! Love learning new facts of life! Have always loved Van Gogh and the mystery of his life and being. Thank you for helping to educate us all!

[@professorgraemeyorston]

Thank you, welcome aboard!