Ah! . . . to make of painting what the music of Berlioz and Wagner has been before us . . . a consolatory art for distressed hearts!"-Vincent van Gogh This engaging book is the first in-depth investigation of the influential role that music and sound played throughout Vincent van Gogh's (1853-1890) life. From psalms and hymns to the operas of Richard Wagner to simple birdsong, music represented to Van Gogh the ultimate form of artistic expression....

This is the story of one of the world's most iconic images. Martin Bailey explains why Van Gogh painted a series of sunflower still lifes in Provence. He then explores the subsequent adventures of the seven pictures, and their influence on modern art. Through the Sunflowers, we gain fresh insights into Van Gogh's life and his path to fame. Based on original research, the book is packed with discoveries - throwing new light on the legendary artist

Despite his posthumous fame as a painter of flowers, still lifes, gardens, landscapes, and city scenes, Vincent van Gogh himself believed that his portraits constituted his most important works. Like other post-Impressionists, Van Gogh sought to capture the essential character of his models by means of expressive color and brushwork. Vincent's Portraits reflects the strong visual impact with which the artist captured the energy of contemporary life....

A work dedicated to 100 of Van Gogh's most beautiful and unforgettable canvases, as well as a selection of lesser-known works. Showcases signature works from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in a context of the master artist's career, offering additional insight into his lively engagement with the artistic peers and ideas of his time as documented in his personal letters to family and friends.