Van Gogh's Last Painting: Great Art Explained

[@GreatArtExplained]

Please don’t forget to ‘like’ and leave a comment (however short), as it REALLY helps promote the channel. If you don’t know, my other channel, Great BOOKS Explained can be found here - www.youtube.com/@greatbooksexplained371 - thanks so much for your amazing support - James

[@kidmohair8151]

thank you. I do not think I have ever seen the tree roots painting.

[@brahimhaydoun5315]

could you please do a video about bernard buffet? ; Thanks in advance

[@HarriettMcGinn]

Play again.

[@marilynoliveri8168]

I'm an artist & I absolutely loved hearing Van Goghs story❤totally.

[@harrow8557]

This is the clearest view of Van Gogh's last years I've ever seen. Honestly think this should be shown in the Van Gogh museum.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Oh thank you 🙏

[@Calligraphybooster]

I second that.

[@LoisAGrimm]

I absolutely agree.

[@art_wisdom]

Yes agree… if you want to find more about paintings, check my channel

[@chartaiwan]

Agree.

[@josephatthecoop]

The simplest answer is often the correct one … and the best telling of a story is often the simplest; truthful and respectful, without embellishment or speculation. The complexity of his life and death speaks for itself. Thank you for this lovely, simple telling of his last days and work.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Such a nice comment - thanks 🙏

[@NicoleAC-PhD]

Occams Razor 💫🤲🏽

[@Noonespecial237]

“A nice sunny spot within the wheat fields.” I became quite sad hearing that line but after reflecting for quite a while it suddenly became the perfect ending. Well done sir. Your best yet.

[@kbrooke20]

James, I recently visited Paris and saw some of the most magical art. Some of these pieces, I learned about from you. Thanks to you, not only was I able to enjoy the visual aspects of seeing the art, but I was able to appreciate the history of the pieces I learned about from your channel and connect with them on a deeper level. Thank you.

[@GreatArtExplained]

That is such a nice thing to say - thank you 🙏

[@caitlinb]

​@GreatArtExplained James, I agree with Kayla. I visited Monet's lillies and the knowledge from your video essay allowed me to appreciate them. They were overwhelming. Thank you for everything.

[@inspiredshelf]

I'd never been able to forge any interest in art history until I found your channel. Every video of yours I've watched has been absolutely fascinating. Thank you for opening up this new avenue of knowledge to me. I love and appreciate what you do! ❤️

[@GreatArtExplained]

What a nice comment - thanks 🙏

[@annettewillis2797]

This telling of Vincent Van Gogh's last days is clear, memorable and deeply moving. Thank you so much James. Perhaps it is, as others say, one of your best films yet.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Oh that’s kind - thank you 🙏

[@DeliriumWartner]

I don't cry at much but, as a sufferer of depression and anxiety myself, this got me

[@GreatArtExplained]

Oh I hope you can see the joy that Van Gogh brought too - take care 🙏

[@DeliriumWartner]

@@GreatArtExplained I can. I imagine it would have meant the world to him. Thanks James ❤️

[@plumbthumbs9584]

me too, bruv. it hit hard.

[@boardcertifiable]

Amen to that.

[@supremereader7614]

You are among the best art narrarors on KZbin - and there are MANY that are very good. Thank you for bringing us this kind of content. I've watched many Vincent Van Gogh documentaries, but never heard before now that he hadn't suffered any major break-downs until age 35.

[@jamesford2040]

I am 80 years old and just starting to appreciate. Great Art / Artist. Your Van Gogh presentation was very moving.. James F. CANADA

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thanks james and welcome to my channel 🙏

[@agush_co]

Amazing Mr Payne. Of all the artists i have ever seen a documentary about, never before have i felt this kind of empathy for anyone. You showed me the world of Van Gogh, and i felt like it could swallow me whole. A life of agony and pain, and yet as a by-stander I can't help but feel a sense of ease and calm in the life at Auvers. Away from the city, among the sunny wheat fields, through the grooves. Slowly losing my mind and sanity, yet trying desperately to hold onto whatever sense of humanity that was left by filling blank canvas with a gorgeous blend of paint that conceals such an outburst of emotions and feelings. Thank You, Mr Payne. Had i not stumbled upon your channel, had you not created such a channel, i would have forever been deprived from this joy of art. ❤

[@GreatArtExplained]

What a lovely comment - thank you 🙏

[@chevgr]

I feel the same.

[@kevrides5706]

Your sentiments are wonderfully said and very much echoed in my own heart. I am finding a new appreciation for art because of this channel and I am extremely grateful.

[@kentinpitout4245]

Beautiful

[@andrew45038]

Hands down the best description of Vincent’s last days he’s always been an inspiration for me just like him I’ve always felt that I’m a burden to my family and friends but they are always their to snap me out of it rest easy Vincent

[@Yes_Im_Adarsh]

From 2019-2023 I struggled a lot from mental illness I had very acute depression, ADHD & C-PTSD, your videos has helped a lot & now I’m very well & great full ❤

[@GreatArtExplained]

I have been around depression in some form my whole life and I am so glad to hear you say that - take care 🙏

[@fishypaw]

Thank you for this. Hearing what he said in his letters, and now knowing that his last painting was of tree roots, is so poignant. I love Vincent, and his works. It is so sad that his life ended the way it did, but what a legacy he left behind. I feel inspired to paint. Again, thank you.

[@TheArmachillo]

That last painting happens to be one of my favorite Van Gogh’s. I see himself and humans in that painting intertwined in those roots. They look to me like human shapes and he had always seen trees as alive and trying to thrive like us. Tangled, both in life and death. He was misunderstood, but I can understand him through that painting and many others. Thank you!

[@isacj81]

This is amazing! Wow, as an aeronautics engineer in graduation, your videos, James, inspire me to go beyond myself, and ignites a very alive passion of pursuing art. Thanks you!

[@stephaniehendricks3537]

This is an interesting topic in art and history. Always a good way to end a friday. Have fun on your trip to portugal!

[@filldev]

I begin watching to better understand a work of art. I end up better understanding the humanity behind it. Happens every time. Thank you.

[@JimmyNasium]

Thank you for sharing this video with all of us. You are expanding my horizons.

[@GreatArtExplained]

You are so welcome

[@SpaceTimeTurtle]

A haunting and beautiful portrait. So much so, I shed an uncommon tear right at the end. There was too much pain and beauty within VVG to ever really afford him a long and healthy life. Rest easy VVG and TVG.

[@cataclysm4584]

These videos provide me with such comfort while giving me knowledge and time with art. I just love it.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thank you 🙏

[@creatrix_britt]

Sobbing all morning at the fact that they lay to rest together.

[@jonquil3015]

Wonderful! Your earlier videos on Van Gogh were sensational and this is a masterful follow-up, thanks.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Many thanks! 🙏

[@infesta7]

This was brilliant, James. Thank you. Auvers is a beautiful place, your video took me back. Hope Vincent found peace in the end.

[@GreatArtExplained]

I believe he did

[@cristinedean1015]

The way I visibly get happy when I see a video of yours! Thank you so much

[@GreatArtExplained]

So nice of you

[@andreaandrea6716]

Me too!!!

[@CaliSpud]

Me three!

[@JDazell]

Brilliant as always. Fascinating and superbly well researched, scripted and edited

[@GreatArtExplained]

Oh thank you 🙏

[@Eric.cartman7]

I wish i could personally meet and thank you …..you single handily opened up a new avenue of interest for me and many others

[@louisanow]

The music in this segment is so beautiful and appropriate. I so appreciate the effort you put into these videos and I hope these will soon reach a very broad audience. I believe art helps to make humans more complete, complex, and empathetic. Far too many have little or no exposure to art or art instruction, and it's simply tragic. I wish I'd had something like this as a young student, but I'm grateful to have it now. Thanks so much, and I hope all your ventures do well.

[@FloralShoppingCard]

I love how the narrator got down all the correct pronounciations of the Dutch and French names. When people say "van Goe" instead of "van Gogh" i roll my eyes. Even Theo is the correct Dutch pronounciation. Its little things but its accurate and not ignorant. Thank you.

[@GreatArtExplained]

I appreciate that!

[@jondoh587]

@@GreatArtExplained How many languages do you speak, James?

[@celinesm7382]

This video brought tears to my eyes as it illustrates so vividly the cruel suffering brought on by depression. Vincent's torment was hopeless as no treatment existed back then. The very fact he was even aware that his death would raise the value of his art is soul-crushing.

[@garmtpug]

What made me doubly sad was that he didn't know what was causing these terrible problems he suffered from. That had to make his episodes especially frightening!

[@drewfoust8390]

I love the way you weave a story to go with the art. Always a fan! Keep up the great work!

[@VietnamG]

I went to the Van Gogh museum but left with a couple of questions, this video managed to answer those. I agree with this fitting perfectly in the museum, well done

[@larissa-nn8ng]

I'm crying, beautiful video. He definitely was one of a kind. ❤ May he and Theo rest in peace.

[@patriciadurovni706]

Brilliant as always! I Never thought I would enjoy art after those boring lessons of Art History at School! But then everything Changed after I discovered this channel… thank you só much!

[@TheCelestialsparrow]

It's a Sunday morning and I'm here with my coffee, crying over the ending of this video...

[@rhythmythicles]

Just beautiful. I gasped when I saw the slide of his two late pastorals. The colors alone are just amazing. Thank you so much!

[@eastbackbay]

This video right here is why I have subscribed to this incredible channel. At the very least, all the videos here transport me to peace and a sense of awe for a few minutes.

[@Anacodna]

Your videos are a gateway to a world of art that fills me up in a new wonderful way. What a rollercoaster of emotions in just one video. I hope you continue to make these videos as they are masterclass art to many of us. Thank you for the bottom of my heart ❤

[@lifeonanotherplanet]

Beautifully produced and narrated

[@NishantMishra]

I've been following this channel and watched most of the videos. I'm not an artist but have a tiny creative chip somewhere in my head I think. I keep coming back here to watch and rewatch some of the videos. I'm afraid this is another video that I will end up rewatching over the years. Thank you Mr. Payne for all you do.

[@JohnJSteinbeck]

This is one of the best videos on Vincent and his last days, amazing, sad, and inspirational. Thank you for this, and thank you for the pronunciation of Vincent’s name, ‘Van Gogh’ which so many get wrong. Your research and summary of core details is fascinatingly accurate and profound. Thank you.

[@Snitsie]

His pronunciation isn't entirely correct. It should be two hard G's.

[@andreaandrea6716]

Thank you! I love your work and look forward to each one of these! They are my favourite videos to watch... you have such a gift for this. I love all the comments too! It's lovely to see how enormously appreciated you are by others. Please never stop!

[@GreatArtExplained]

The comments are so nice and show that the online community can be a great place to learn- thanks Andrea! 🙏

[@andreynikolaev5802]

Such a lovely video for such a tragic and sad story. May his art never die.

[@LoisAGrimm]

I absolutely love your video essays. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge of beautiful art and the artists who create it with us.

[@s.o.3753]

How lovely to find this video in my feed mere hours after enjoying some Van Gogh up close at the Met in NYC!

[@GreatArtExplained]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@s.o.3753]

​@@GreatArtExplainedI most certainly did! 😊 And I tell all my friends about this channel! All your videos are fantastic!

[@breppbrepp]

My favorite KZbinr and my favorite painter. Beautiful day

[@jero4059]

Thank you for your thorough investigation and pleasant presentation. I've discovered so much more beautiful paintings that I'd never seen before.

[@sweetLemonist]

Your videos deserve an award. You're exceptional.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Wow, thank you!

[@daynieldeguzman4044]

I love these videos they elucidate so many things about painting and how to view them. Points to answers but allows me to be contemplative and ponder different interpretations. Bravo!

[@parkcaro]

So moving. The part about the post card gave me chills.

[@madalincraciun982]

Art is not a craft, it is the transmission of the feeling experienced by the artist,congratulations from Romania🇷🇴

[@andreaandrea6716]

Years ago ('96), standing in front of a Van Gogh in the National Gallery in London, I was shocked to find tears streaming down my face; I was staring at one of Vincent's grouping of sunflowers! So, what you say is true: Somehow, what he was going through, his intensity of feeling, was THERE in this benign painting... waiting for an unsuspecting viewer... and grief washed over me as I innocently took it in.

[@sylvain_st_pierre_2019]

I just love these informative videos about art and artists M. Payne. It is a lot of work i am sure and you do it amazingly well. Thank you.

[@WildAntiN]

I have learned so much through your videos. Thank you

[@GreatArtExplained]

You are welcome! 🙏

[@thomasdequincey5811]

Brilliant as ever. Vincenct van Gogh's trees and flowers are my favourite. Like the pink peach tree or almond blossom.

[@pewong7551]

The most poignant and clear review and in 15 mins. Bravo!

[@LouisAmateurArt]

Thank you James. These really are my favourite art-history videos. Congratulations on your excellent and very sensitive work.

[@twntwn11]

Amazing video as always. I´m going to a Van Gogh exhibiton in the summer and I´m glad I will have more insight to his paintings thanks to you.

[@pizzassos]

We need to produce more content that talks about art on KZbin, more space for art! Bravo! 👌

[@rgeorgek42]

I truly appreciate these works of art you create. Providing context and facts brings even more appreciation to the subject artist’s work 🙏

[@henrycottam3451]

Great reporting - this is a class above. Excellent research & well presented. Thanks, Henry

[@alejandroberman]

i really love how you explain art with such passion and simplicity. this is a brief moment i use to take for myself during work. let's enjoy art once again. greetings from argentina! : )

[@fourstringbuck]

Fantastic job! Thanks. Very excited about the great books channel too!

[@LunnaLJR]

What a beautiful essay Mr Payne. Thank you for this❤

[@SH-fi8sn]

What a remarkable series you have created. Each one it's own beauty. Thank you!

[@GreatArtExplained]

That’s a nice thing to say - thank you 🙏

[@alejandrasarmiento3317]

This was amazing, so well executed and delivered… I wish I could go in October to Portugal

[@stevenschuster]

JAMES THANK YOU!!!! Your the king at this art history game!

[@glennmcgee1729]

This was a remarkable video, thank you. Vincent's struggle is such a sad story but his art gives us so much joy. I found comfort when you reminded us that he did have good days.

[@elenagrigoriadou6036]

love this channel! Thank you for your exeptional work!

[@rickb3078]

That is a very moving story. Thank you!

[@GalaxySpinz]

Beautifully done! Thanks for the video!

[@shayliejessee7957]

As somebody who owns multiple books of Van Gogh painting I learned so many new things about his life in this video, so well done 👏

[@kevinwibawa7117]

i like your investigative style of documentary, it's like a journey to knowledge!

[@doloreslujansalvador2644]

thank you so much for your good explanation. please give us more lessons on art and works of arts.

[@CarolR-ub1fz]

Thank you. Such a good video on a talented man. I hope his soul is at peace.❤

[@GreatArtExplained]

I hope so too

[@ericalachappelle3008]

Thank you!! Thank you so much for showing us the struggles of one of the greatest artists in the world! There was so much pain and beauty in this. I cried. I use my art to heal me as well. I only wish that his art could have continued to heal him. It's wonderful to see how his paintings were dated and to know which painting was actuallyhis last. Not that I'll ever be famous, but, it makes me want to date my works now and to journal about them and my life as well. It may be very healing for my family when I'm gone( hopefully a very long time from now!).

[@kathyjohnson2043]

I don't think I can be imagining it because I thought of it before you said it, but I saw a reporting of finding the roots well before the pandemic since I was too ill from 2018- 3021 to be paying any attention to such things. Glad to be doing better and to have found your wonderful work!

[@dondacurator]

truly love your work,, you the best Curator in the world

[@katieaviss543]

I downloaded this to watch on a plane journey. I felt quite emotional sitting on the plane and even sadder that I couldn't switch on data to read the comments! And sadder again that the video wasn't twice as long. Thanks for the work you put into these videos, I love watching them!

[@HR-ki1vg]

I adore you channel and regularly recommend it to my friends and family

[@evathegrand]

What a wonderful clear and inspiring video. I used to work at the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, I’ll send it to them maybe they can feature you on their instagram if you’d like.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Thanks so much for your comment. Yes that would be great to be featured by the Van Gogh museum! One of my favourite museums in the world!

[@margaretinsydney3856]

This is wonderful, as always. I saw Loving Vincent when it came out, and loved it. I think that's the film that says he was murdered. If I recall, that theory has been entertained because it seems unthinkable that anyone would shoot themselves in the abdomen, and die slowly and in great pain. I just love these videos -- and the book ones too.❤

[@ifitsrusteditsmine]

Thank you for creating this astonishing video. Very informative and beautifully put together.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ezrakoster369]

Thank you for another beautiful and insightful video. Van Gogh has been one of my favourite painters for quite some time and you really paint a wonderful picture of him.

[@GreatArtExplained]

I appreciate that!

[@urbanbroccoli]

Thank for another excellent video. I was delighted you featured John Peter Russell's portrait of Vincent - we know from his letters that Vincent was especially fond of it. I wonder if you would consider doing a video on Russell, an artist of considerable talent and influence yet far less celebrated than his contemporaries and collaborators. I regard him as the one of (if not *the*) most important Australian artist on the international stage, but he is barely known here.

[@GreatArtExplained]

I love his work so maybe 🤔

[@elainemccarthy2272]

Thank you for so clearly describing Van Gogh's last days; I look forward to visiting Auvers-sur-Oise again in the Spring with this new version in mind

[@MariaVosa]

Thank you for another excellent video - I had no idea this breakthrough about his last painting had been made. But what I especially treasure with your essays is the way you contextualise the artistic work, in this case both in Van Gogh's previous paintings and letters and the way Japanese art influenced him. It's so sad neither brother got to live a full life. There was so much love there. They made the most of the time they got, and they will not be forgotten. I desperately wish I had the means to sign up for your travel trip. I expect you will all have a wonderful time.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Great comment - thank you 🙏

[@bartowskiofficial]

Excellent video, thanks! Always had a soft spot for Mr Van Gogh.

[@terrydacktull]

Your channel is wonderful. I’ve enjoyed all of your videos

[@deborahfalzone936]

Thank you for such a touching and poignant study on Van Goghs last days although quite upsetting. I love his art.

[@haidaralhaibi4416]

🙏🏻♥️ Thank you for keeping the perfect quality in each video.

[@vanjaviric8800]

Marvellous as always, you indeed make new art pieces of your own

[@johnriley-wr7cg]

I’ve been a fan for so long and you inspired me to take art history in college I want you to know your videos really do inspire people not just to learn but to create. Your channel is indeed great art in itself.

[@alinehunt283]

I think what is particularly fascinating about this is that other impressionists/expressionists painted their subjects en plein air, partially or entirely outside, without access to photographs for reference. His representation of the roots then comes entirely from within, a result of deep contemplation of their formal shapes from observation, and a reflection of how he remembered them exactly. It's a little too armchair to examine exactly what that means, because we can never really reconstruct what his final thoughts may have been, and it's tempting to try and extrapolate a "reason" when the reality was he was sick and this was his way of dealing with being sick. I think that's what truly makes his work art for arts sake, without many of the calculations for making a piece sellable that we consider when looking at other artists. I think that's one of the reasons we find his work so attractive even now-- that it was made almost without regard to who may look at it, but as an expression of interiority. It brings up a lot of questions of what the reasons for making art and viewing are in the first place. If you identify with some of the feelings of suffering identified here, remember you are not a burden. Even if you were, your loved ones would rather take care of you as a burden than be "free" of you. You are loved, you would be missed, and please try to seek support where you can.

[@GreatArtExplained]

Wonderful comment - and I totally agree with your sentiments - thank you 🙏

[@alinehunt283]

@@GreatArtExplained wonderful video!!

[@guillermodiego819]

What a tragic story. Thank you for another excellent video

[@allanevaldvvernielsen2323]

So many hours of the problably best narrator on KZbin and with content hard to meet in precision style respectfulness and knowledge …..

[@zhenyamediocris4373]

Thank you, James That's authentic. You made me look on Van Gogh from a different angle, understand his inner world much more deeply, it made the picture more whole. Just WOW, your work is spellbinding🔥

[@pisces_painter]

Thank you James, another great video 🎉

[@garmtpug]

Oh that was a sad and gut wrenching explanation of Van Gogh's mental and physical suffering! One can only imagine how many more wonderful works of art he had in his mind that he would have created! Just heartbreaking. Thank you for this excellent video giving us some insight into the great man's last years.

[@nippondering]

My wive and i have those "turn and look at each other" moments more in your 15 min vids than watching whole episodes of House of the Dragon. Top-notch work. ❤

[@jasonstamp10]

Great video. I saw the 'Van Gogh in Auvers. His Final Months' exhibition last year at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. It was amazing. It covered this time period and I saw many of the paintings in person that you featured in this video including the Wheatfield with Crows and Tree Roots. Tree Roots was the last painting of the exhibition. It then ended with a display of his palette and paint tubes that Dr. Gachet's family donated to the Museé d'Orsay, a letter from Theo to Jo describing what was going on after he had arrived at Vincent's bedside in Auvers, and letters from artists Claude Monet and John Russell expressing their condolences. There was another sketch of Vincent on his deathbed drawn by Dr. Gachet. The display card with the sketch said that he did two of them and had kept this one on display for himself and gave the second one to Theo, which I guess is the one you featured in the video. There was also a mourning card announcing Vincent's death and an invitation card to the funeral as part of the display. It was amazing to see those. The exhibition had several paintings on loan from the Orsay in Paris since they had created it together and it went there after Amsterdam. It included the Church at Auvers painting and the portrait of Dr. Gachet, both paintings I really wanted to see in person. I went back to look at the Church painting multiple times.

[@Sgirl]

That sounds amazing! So lucky you were able to see that.