In Our Time Vincent Van Gogh (Archive Episode)
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Sep 4, 2025 
Frances Fowle, a Professor of Nineteenth Century Art, Martin Bailey, a leading Van Gogh specialist, and Christopher Riopelle, the Neil Westreich Curator of Post 1800 Paintings, delve into the life of Vincent Van Gogh. They discuss his transformative time in a mental asylum, where art became a vital outlet for his struggles. The trio explores Van Gogh's evolution as an artist, examining his colorful masterpieces, his complex relationship with his brother Theo, and his posthumous rise to fame, debunking myths surrounding his mental health and documenting the legacy of his art.
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Work And Myth Built His Fame
- Van Gogh produced around 900 paintings in his last decade yet sold only one in his lifetime.
- His posthumous fame grew rapidly because his life story and work combined to create a powerful myth.
Family Background And Early Character
- Van Gogh had a secure but strict Protestant upbringing and was described as a difficult child by family.
- He grew up in a closely connected family of six with frequent letters exchanged, especially with his brother Theo.
Art Dealer Apprenticeship Shaped Taste
- At 16 Van Gogh joined his uncle's Goupil Gallery in The Hague and later transferred to London.
- He discovered the Hague School and artists like Millet, shaping his early taste toward realism and peasant subjects.