In fact, much of van Gogh’s success can be attributed to his sister-in-law Johanna, who committed herself to forwarding his legacy after his death.
Vincent van Gogh's parents had six children: three sons and three daughters. Of these six, Vincent struggled with mental illness, and his brother Theo died under mysterious circumstances, which some believe to have been suicide. His other brother, Cornelius, committed suicide at 33, and his sister Wilhelmina spent the last four decades of her life in a mental institution.
After Johanna's death, her son Vincent Willem, named after his illustrious uncle, continued her work and established the foundation that is responsible for the Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
One of the most famous and popular painters of all time, Vincent van Gogh’s art has come to define Post-Impressionism. Indeed, his style helped revolutionize how the world views art. But even if he was a groundbreaking artist, his life was marked by poverty, loneliness, rejection, and mental illness. Having only sold one painting in his lifetime, he largely considered himself a failure.
Intrigued by this fascinating figure? Then click on to learn more about one of history's most compelling artists.