Vincent van Gogh: The colour and vitality of his works | National Gallery

Special Projects curator Colin Wiggins walks you through the life and work of Vincent van Gogh, from the bright colours of 'Sunflowers' to his battles with depression. Discover Van Gogh's changing style and the influence of the Post-Impressionist artists in Paris.
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[@NewVoiceMMI]

I am watching in 2024. This lecture obviously has been becoming a classic on KZbin. The speaker, Colin Wiggins, knew it in 2016.🎉

[@vincevdijk7430]

Van Gogh died in 1890... What has your comment to do about a speaker 126 years later?

[@nancydeduron2]

“If you’re watching this in the future, this was filmed in 2016” …. Yes! I’m watching here in the future, 2021, oh boy, many things have happened since! Loved this lecture btw!

[@jenniechen24]

AUGUST31 2121

[@gordonstrong5232]

October 7th 2021

[@jamestaylor6053]

October 24th, 2021

[@hunkhk]

Colin is an amazing speaker - totally engrossed here in 2022 in such a crazy time. Its nice escapism. National Gallery have the best people working there Colin is a treasure

[@ritagreen6499]

September 17, 2023

[@fernandamonteiro704]

What a fantastic speaker! I could listen to him for hours! He speaks with his heart and conveys his love for art (and for the artist) to the audience.

[@nationalgallery]

We're so pleased to hear that!

[@channelandrefreitas]

Hello from the future 2023! We are still in love with Vincent, it’s flowers and you. Thank you for the masterclass!

[@dinabiktimirova7119]

2024 as well)

[@ALEN1ful]

Wish Theo and Vincent could see the impact they had on people and art.

[@StanleyKowalski.]

also Theo's wife, Johanna. without her, we wouldnt know who Vincent is

[@ALEN1ful]

@@StanleyKowalski. great point

[@btul2569]

don't forget theo's wife

[@LL-sd2fc]

My eyes welled up.

[@barbarachieppo8290]

❤

[@sandrafaith]

Took my honeymoon in London in 2015, and we made a point of going to as many of the big museums as we could. When I approached "Sunflowers" in the gallery, the hugest wave of emotion came over me and tears sprang to my eyes. Nothing could prepare me for how incredible this painting is in person. ❤

[@isalum9308]

Piękny...urzeka...❤

[@satchelyork]

Can you imagine Vincents mother threw out a shitload of his paintings after he died, and even despite that and despite starting late, suffering mental illness, alcoholism and poverty there are almost 300 surviving paintings (some of the most amazing ones are ones many have never seen) and over a thousand drawings. His production was just off the charts.

[@grahambiggs2017]

The Pain of Painting. There are so many paintings because they were so easy for him to do. There wasn't any skill or talent involved.

[@grahambiggs2017]

@Adi Buddhi Pele could teach me to play football. I still wouldn't be good enough. Maybe he would have. If I had a big brother who could pull strings for me. 😉

[@cahillgreg]

He produced over 900 paintings alone.

[@midnightchannel7759]

...and he would have sent his mother what he considered to be his best art.

[@gundog7199]

I believe Vincent can hear this wonderful speaker!

[@D8271]

this gentleman has a very plesent manner about him and is easy and interesting to understand. i would like to hear more of his lectures if someone has links to offer, i thank you.

[@PleinAirAdventureswithTezDower]

Colin Wiggins

[@sanderstar1000]

D8271 agreed

[@alminjoNo1]

Indeed

[@lynettecox5294]

alminjoNo1 m

[@lee9751]

I’m sorry is that not u mate

[@midnightchannel7759]

Theo supported more than just Vincent, he'd slip money to Gaugin often as well as other post impressionists. Theo talked his art dealer boss into representing the avante-gard, too, and planned to open up own gallery when his boss kept refusing to sell these artists. So, Vincent was not the only artist helped my Theo. The world owe Theo Van Gogh alot.

[@chrisbaerart]

@JONATHAN SUTCLIFFE Oh no - Theo was their biggest champion. If not for Theo we wouldn't have Van Gogh's paintings. It was Theo who kept Vincent in paint and canvas. And after Theo's death his wife, Jo - preserved, collected and presented both Vincent's art and his letters to Theo. Without Theo - Van Gogh almost doesn't exist for us. He was Vincent's biggest fan and the best brother EVER.

[@vezirasubasic8669]

Vincent van Gogh vert

[@mounabenserradj5077]

You are right

[@caspermilquetoast411]

@@chrisbaerartJo gets the credit for the existence of both.

[@scarletpimpernelagain9124]

The whole world owe’s both Van Gogh’s an enormous debt, Vincent for his extraordinary paintings, Theo for supporting him. The world owes the Netherlands a huge debt for their contribution to Westen Culture through their artists.

[@RivkahSong]

Am I the only one who spent the whole video being reminded of that Doctor Who episode where Amy and The Doctor brought Vincent Van Gogh forward in time to hear an art historian gush about how he's the greatest painted of all time? Love that episode.

[@TrumanGN]

Rivkah, you're not going to believe me but a second before I got to your comment I had this thought: What would Vincent think of this man's lecture? Any theories on how that happened?

[@RivkahSong]

@@TrumanGN Doctor Who is a phenomenal show that sticks with you long after you walk away from the screen. I suppose it was inevitable that hearing an honestly passionate man gush over his favorite painter would bring to mind one of the best episodes in the Eleventh Doctor's repertoire. 💗

[@nebula1oftheseven488]

Me too dude me too. That must be my favourite Doctor Who episode

[@susanhepburn6040]

Me, too! Makes me cry every time.

[@matthewgray469]

@@TrumanGN I wonder what Toulouse Lautrec would think of the SCTV sketch "Lust for Paint"

[@dshepherd107]

I could’ve listened to this gentleman talk for another 3 hrs. Very interesting!!! Ty! My favorite art period is the Impressionist period. I hope this art curator (historian?) gives more mini lectures! He’s exceedingly good at it.

[@vozamaraktv-art5595]

Yes, me too. My favourite artists are Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Pissarro. But out of all them, Vincent is the one whose paintings amaze me the most.

[@seanleith5312]

The guy is delusional. He says things he doesn't believe himself. If he didn't say the same thing other people say, he appears to be a fool in front of other people. It is like the Emperor's Cloth, there is no cloth, but everyone afraid to say so. In my opinion, that thing barely called art. It is like the painting black cow in the dark night. You can't say there is no cow, you would appear stupid.

[@PolarBear-rc4ks]

@@seanleith5312 what are you on lol

[@seanleith5312]

@@PolarBear-rc4ks Orange Juice.

[@grahambiggs2017]

@@seanleith5312 Van Gogh had no talent as an artist. That's why his career was so short. Only paintings he sold were to friends and family. He is famous for cutting off his own ear. That's it. How this guy can compare him to Michelangelo beggars belief.

[@renadelshiekh2999]

What i love the most about vincent is that his paintings feel so new and modern, the way they make you feel, as if he is not an old artist that is gone many years ago, rather a youthful soul that will never be outdated💛

[@leonoraramos2855]

Yes that painting so amazing until now,I also have one replica and that I've learn so much about it so interesting,I got that replica in Hk

[@jacobusbaker9285]

I can't keep my eyes off the landscape on the left. Psychologically it goes deeper then the still life. The tension is almost palpable.

[@Mpayne1472]

It’s funny really as Sunflowers, to me really isn’t my favourite

[@tylerhulsey982]

Same. All the swirls are mesmerizing

[@russellhogben6628]

What a brilliant lecture made all the more enjoyable by the knowledge, warmth and humour of the lecturer. He is a treasure.

[@smsoum]

I'm watching this in the future

[@robertloader9826]

I'm watching it in your future!

[@tsr6951]

@@robertloader9826 nah bro, I'm watching it in the future

[@vincentdesapio]

Art and an art lecture like this gives added meaning to life.

[@katjaspronk7523]

Hallo, I’d like to make a correction. Vincent van Gogh was born in a town called Zundert. In Nuenen he lived and worked later. In Zundert there is a small but cute museum now and there is a super informative centre in Nuenen, which is a must see for any fan! ;)

[@lorenzovonmatta8278]

Thanks for the confirmation. I thought so too but wasn't 100% sure :)

[@rnp497]

I was so unlearned, I had only seen Van Gogh in prints and on screen and thought meh. Then I saw is work in Amsterdam and at that moment I realised that I was looking at the work of a genius, his work is painfully beautiful

[@mrsgingernoisette]

Idk why but I wish Mr.Wiggins to live forever. The world needs him.

[@lesagent]

Thank you Colin Wiggins for your passionate talk. I've learnt so much more about Vincent van Gogh in just under 30"

[@kasperoon]

It was an absolute pleasure to have listened to him as if it was just yesterday! And yes, this is from the future of 2024. Timeless knowledge and insight of Van Gogh. Thank you.

[@Anitalazt]

Lovely lecture, Thank you so much Colin Wiggins for that excellent explanation about the paintings of Vincent, I watched it twice... I hope to get more lectures of you.. Greetings from Spain

[@nationalgallery]

+Anita Lazty Thanks on behalf of Colin! We're glad you enjoyed his talk

[@vijay-bn4ve]

Hi..for a moment I thought I had found a compatriot..you would perhaps like to know that Anita is a very popular name Indian name! ( as well)

[@varnikachandrasekara1478]

I only just wish he was just as appreciated for all his brilliant genius and unique personality while he was still alive 😢❤

[@Methilde]

Maybe if he lives older, Monet get recognition after 50 years old.

[@OFBCyclingWorld]

Totally brilliant. I have studied this artist and this has added to my knowledge in so many ways. This guy is great. Thank you.

[@nationalgallery]

Thank you for watching :)

[@twinsoultarot473]

I am the daughter of an impressionist artist who died of cancer and so grew up with famous paintings in our home and trips to many museums- Van Gogh's genius escaped me as well until my husband shot himself like Vincent did. Then it dawned on me and I realized that ALL those who tragically died including the brilliant artist who left this world so seemingly tragically are not gone at all but are with us in a different state; having emerged from their cocoon like this speaker so eloquently pointed out when he mentioned Van Gogh's Sunflowers revealing the depiction of life's cycles.

[@msblair2623]

Colin Wiggins thank you! You are such a wonderful speaker! I could sit down and just listen to you talk the whole day and I’ll never get bored.

[@edrodriguez4822]

vincent is boss when it comes to color

[@PleinAirAdventureswithTezDower]

Amen

[@drcommondrate12]

Monet and Matisse are better in my opinion. Gogh is good... for being a dissociated depressed person and painting sunflower (lol)

[@maclaram11]

@@drcommondrate12 No, Monet and Matisse are light bosses, Vincent is the one when we talk about color. Remember that his paintings colors changed a lot through the years, when he painted it, the colors were even brighter.

[@georgefreemon2935]

@@drcommondrate12 god don’t speak on Van Gogh ever your obviously an idiot.

[@Methilde]

@@drcommondrate12 Yes, Monet and Matisse can "compete" with him, even art is not a competition.

[@zabunzabun]

Hello from future Japan🇯🇵. It's 2024 cold winter day and this Sunflower picture still warms up my day🌻 I almost cried imagining if Vincent lived longer and kept drawing until he became an old man. He could have painted many many more and would have been recognized as talented painter. He even might have visited Japan and tasted boiled crabs. Because we all love his drawings so much, I thank the people who didn't respect him as preacher, school master, or any other jobs but as a painter.

[@user-hn6lw4et7w]

Thank you so much for giving so interesting info about Vincent van Gogh. I really enjoyed it! ❤️

[@martinavenglarova6521]

that thing with the future got me ... i thought it was a recent video ... well, hello from 2020

[@drusillaattwood3215]

I wonder what the splendid Colin Wiggins is doing in lockdown !! Wonderful lecture.

[@birgitdierken7756]

I can`t thank you enough National Gallery.After watching your documentary last year the paintings started` talking `to me . A connection had been made and I am now exploring with a great fever paintings and the artists.Thank you for this new love. and thank you Colin Wiggins for introducing me to Vincent whom I thought I knew already.

[@barbarachieppo8290]

❤

[@daynacase8528]

That nugget of history regarding the invention of the tube of paint 🎨 LOVED THAT what a game changer for artists painting outdoors

[@aimster9908]

‘I’m now going to make you well up a little bit’. Here I am 10 minutes later still crying, thinking about the sunflowers on Van Gogh’s coffin and his art around him like a halo. Some lives like Van Gogh truly are brilliant - to have touched us this way, whether a day, a year, or many years later, we still admire his genius and mourn the loss of such a person.

[@jiaoyang5602]

Vincent was a simple but loving man, like a sweet child. His mental conditions prevented him from properly expressing his love for people and everything around him. However he managed to show his love for life and the world through his paintings. The love in his paintings is what touches people.

[@judithwilliams3835]

Thank you Mr. Wiggins. I just loved your talk ! I learned so much, and you gave me a new outlook. Great !

[@teamcrumb]

Colin Higgins is a treat.

[@ratgirl13]

2/2024: I’m so glad to have found this channel. The speaker is just fabulous, I like his humor. ❤ I’m saving this video as a favorite.

[@gretchenzwicker338]

What a wonderful speaker. I have read that letter from Bernard, it is unbelievably sad. Even though I have been interested in Vincent and his work my whole life, I never get tired of listening about him. Thank you! Watching this at the end of 2023!❤

[@bredfortbingley1079]

an excellent speaker ! enjoyed this video very much indeed. Thank you.

[@pepumarius2006]

now this is what I call a pleasant and informative presentation!

[@sherrylhenning5630]

Once again, for someone like me to have access to not only the art, but to listen to someone who was chosen to speak because of his love of the chosen piece, is a truly enjoyable experience! Thank you!

[@margaretfarquhar9567]

Vincent is smiling down on this excellent lecturer who portrays him with such reverence Understanding and affection.

[@julialeonetti879]

Thank you so much, this was an amazing talk about my favourite artist.

[@davidthom7127]

I could listen to you all day. So amusing and extremely interesting in a very individual way. Fascinating.

[@joshin436]

He's so knowledgeable, it's so wonderful to listen to him.

[@avantedestinos]

My dear God. This is BRILLIANT.

[@sherbetbomb3276]

Here after the throwing of the soup cans…and oil protest…on the sunflower canvas.

[@stancanner]

Despicable

[@fernandasa2158]

This videos are great gifts to the public is so important to support the national gallery in London with a donation visiting or doing online through their website 🙏🏼⭐️

[@roshnidevi7215]

i loved this! Subtle understanding into Vincent's mind, the culture, his Japanese connection. Good talk, Mr Colin Wiggins.

[@samuelnakuna1830]

I was so so happy that I did found out that we have a Sunflower Art at home hanging on the wall done by this Great Gentleman Vincent Van Gogh one of his amazing work is Sunflower painting and it's look nice also with his signature on it Vincent.

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Wonderful presentation, viewed 2021. Interesting, accessible, and mercifully no background noise. 👏👏👏

[@speedracer2841]

I'm watching this in the year 2134 and we're still in love with Vincent 118 years after this video was made.

[@josephinew6061]

Well done. Thank you.

[@riebell1680]

what a marvellous presentation. thank you

[@zarahlimtan6319]

Hello from the future! 😅 Watching this in 2024 ❤️

[@damatlisfranco1216]

Same for me!

[@jeffrey3498]

Thank you so much Colin for all you've contributed to the legacy of Vincent. 😎👍

[@HAZERO_-pp5dc]

Thank you, Mr. Wiggins!

[@Ziad3195]

This was absolutely Georgeous

[@philryan3540]

The relationship with Theo and Vincent was such that the great bulk of Vincent's art could be collected in one place in Amsterdam. What a blessing...

[@janvanpoppel2814]

Theo was obviously key in Vincent's life. We should however not forget the tremendous work that Theo's widow Johanna Bonger did after both had passed away to collect not only the paintings but also the letters and bring these to the attention of the world.

[@carolspencer3776]

It was Jo Van Gogh-Bongers who made that possible for us. Our work, behind the scenes, like hers, can change lives. Vincent Van Gogh was amazing! So were Theo and Johanna.

[@gloriavaldez3754]

Brilliantly done Love the lecture on Van Gogh What a wonderful experience to listen to this great lecture I can listen more hours without getting bored. ❤

[@patriciaduffy2724]

Mr. Collins - thank you so much for this recording. I was getting ready to do the dinner dishes when I saw the link for this video and decided to watch just for a few minutes. Ha - famous last words! Before I knew it, the video was over. Your lecture was beautifully paced and easy to understand, with your love for Vincent palpable throughout. I learned so much and am looking forward to watching more videos - thank you.

[@enriquemejiasgarcia5285]

What a fantastic lecture! I hope to get more and more lectures of Mr. Wiggins!

[@kiaartwork]

Thank you been searching to learn more about Van Gogh

[@tigerwa]

Very informative with an excellent and engaging speaker.

[@yezdnil]

Definitely watching from the future (5-5-22).. What a fantastic lecture. Who would've thought that a 'simple' painting of a vase of past-their-best flowers could be so emotional? When I walk into the NG's gallery, this painting just shouts 'Look at me!' from the wall. It's like a precocious child, demanding attention. That yellow, even though it's over a century old, is vibrant and impossible to ignore. It lights up the room. It is a wonderful, life-enhancing painting from a great artist. Thank you, Vincent, for putting so much life into this masterpiece for us to enjoy, and thank you, Colin, for giving us such insight into its creation.

[@icedragonair]

The way those hang they look like they're Photoshoped in. So bright. Amazing

[@MiiPaintings]

I just looove his paintings and whole story about his life. He’s been such an inspiration for me. Greetings to National gallery from artist from the Czech republic ❤️

[@veronicagreen6180]

Watching from Mexico, and it’s 2024 !,,

[@rahuls2012]

Hats off !! to the gentleman who narrated the whole story of Vincent Van Gogh. As he narrated I almost walked through those amazing artworks and also learned about the journey of a great artist. Thank you!!!!

[@ernerwerkhardt9789]

Van Gogh was my favorite artist, even before I knew anything about painting. I sent away for a print of Sunflowers when I was about 15, and I still have it hanging on my wall. I once was in the Museum of Modern Art in New York when I saw his Irises. They were so alive and vibrant - I could see the bold brush strokes. It seemed so alive that I was tempted to reach out and touch it - but I'm glad I didn't - it would have been blasphemous disrespect to the work of a great genius.

[@sampathrathnayaka3905]

What a great explanation about Vincent. Thank you very much !

[@karenlynne6200]

Wow, the best art presentation I've ever heard! Learned so much more about Vincent than I read myself on Wiki before... Kinda wish I could have a little bro like Theo, emotionally & financially so supportive, no matter how rough a loser I get in life, he's there for me always! LOL Very rare pure sibling love! I missed the Van Gogh art exhibition at Ueno Park in Tokyo during my last visit there, didn't know he had such a big inspiration of Japanese art & culture. Darn it! Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@virginiaensinck5828]

Thank you for an awesome presentation! ❤ 👏 I'm watching this in august 2023, by the way

[@kaymuldoon3575]

I really enjoyed this. Thank you. Impressionism is my favorite style of art, and for many years my favorites were Renoir and Degas. But in recent years I’ve become more passionate about Van Gogh. His work is easily becoming my number one favorite. (I realize that Van Gogh’s art is considered to be Post-Impressionist rather than impressionist, but he showed up on the heels of the movement.)

[@inessamaria2428]

Great job! Thanks National Gallery for these talks, they are amazing, and a great value for knowledge. Colin Wiggins is perfect!

[@abdulahadshabbir2618]

I'm watching it in the future

[@drusillaattwood3215]

Me, too, Abdul. Can't wait for this lockdown to be unlocked so that I can go to London again to visit the National Gallery. Keep safe.

[@Suranjan_Malik]

Wow. A great lecture. Delighted to hear him speak.

[@drinkwatersmokeair]

Great lecture 👍🏻 watching in lockdown on a Saturday night. Def made me tear up, I can relate to his story, I’m sure most of us can. Keep doing what you love, but just don’t cut yourself.

[@mozdickson]

Experts who can convey multiple, complex strands of inter-related information clearly and engagingly, are artists in their own right. Get in Colin!

[@jorisbuitenweg441]

Beautiful presentation. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[@hunkhk]

Mr Wiggins is the best lecturer

[@michelelong9877]

I'm from St Louis Mo and watching this in 2024

[@m.i.miller8008]

This was an awesome video. Love how he presents this. So easy to listen to him. Well done.

[@wippogallagher]

listening to the letter from Emile Bernard and imagine that scene, brings me to tears, every time every time

[@joh514]

Tania J Same!

[@munabenseradj5150]

me too it makes me cry i feel sorry for vincent because he never seen his fame

[@hooraayy]

i could listen to the lecturer explaining van gogh (or even any other painters) for hours! sounds passionate yet fun!

[@madelstowe7989]

Love to see how passionate this guy is. You can tell he loves it

[@scarletpimpernelagain9124]

Amazing colourist, wonderful compositions and decades ahead of his time. It’s the thing Vincent has in common with Turner, another artist whose later, experimental,work was decades ahead of his time. These artists are the true originals, the visionaries that influences other artists deeply and changed art forever. I love listening to art historians like this exceedingly well educated gentlemen whose depth of knowledge is such that he feels no need to patronise just to share what he knows and teach effortlessly. Watching from the future where we are in the middle of a world wide Pandemic this is a wonderful relief for a while for those of us self isolating, alone due to illness. Thanks from the future I hope you are safe and well. ✌🏻🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@lorettabertoli3736]

Gosh I wish I lived in London to be able to go day in day out to the National Gallery! thanks to youtube I can least watch these lectures at home! I love Van Gogh's sunflowers, they are mesmerizing, they give you energy just by looking at the. I have to go and see them every time I manage to go to London. next time I go I absolutely have to catch one of these art lessons!

[@mariellenerder7863]

What a lovely lecture!

[@Andylu562]

What a phenomenal presentation! Thank you for your profound interpretation of his work

[@edithengel2284]

Thank you so much for this wonderful talk. I just finished reading a selection of Vincent's letters, and your lecture brought so much of them to life. I'm sure I would have found him a very difficult person actually to know, but reading his thoughts in letters and seeing his paintings, one cannot help loving him. An artist whose biography perhaps uniquely penetrates his art.

[@bnkundwa]

He contributed to Art Therapy. The strength of proportions. He relieved the impressionists. Some life styles are sometimes misunderstood.

[@weiweihu3551]

Love this lecture! Thank you!!

[@ClariceAust]

That was an excellent lecture about Vincent by Colin Wiggins. 👍💥

[@miguelslade]

Just wonderful, Colin brings Vincent to life in this, I learnt so much..

[@Bigotedechivo]

I could listen to him all day!

[@igpintoresvenezuela4052]

I went yesterday Saturday Apr. 29 and on Thursday. I went to Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam 10 years ago. It is always good to see originals. As teenager I bought a Van Gogh book with printings of his work and bio. When I saw it on Wednesday I noticed this painting is all yellow and orange that is why it shinnes so much. I like more the painting next to this with more colours interacting and moving as a twister. Thanks you for making this videos. It is higly appreciated it.

[@kingsleysaxon9710]

Brilliant presentation. The most memorable painting in the National Gallery for sure! That and the portrait of Rembrandt in his 30s. One makes you elated one makes you cry.

[@annaharding1868]

loved this lecture, thanks for putting this up! I'm teaching a painting class based on this painting, so this was great to see, and I've shared it on FB for my students.

[@upulaherath7204]

I started to like arts because of Van Gogh, such an inspiration!

[@zarahlimtan6319]

Great lecture about a great artist from a great speaker👌🙌💯 Brilliant job, Mr. Wiggins!