Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most famous artists of all time. His unique style and use of color have inspired countless artists and art lovers alike. But Van Gogh was not only an artist, he was also a prolific writer. In his letters to his brother, he often included insightful and profound quotes that offer a glimpse into his creative process and his view of the world.
In this article, we have compiled some of the best Vincent Van Gogh quotes. These quotes cover a range of topics, from art and creativity to love and life. Whether you are an artist looking for inspiration or simply a fan of Van Gogh’s work, these quotes are sure to resonate with you. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the mind of Vincent Van Gogh and explore some of his most memorable quotes.
Best Vincent Van Gogh Quotes
1. “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” —Vincent Van Gogh
2. “I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.” —Vincent Van Gogh
3. “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?” —Vincent Van Gogh
4. “I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” —Vincent Van Gogh
5. “One must work and dare if one really wants to live.” —Vincent Van Gogh
6. “I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” —Vincent Van Gogh
7. “Even the knowledge of my own fallibility cannot keep me from making mistakes. Only when I fall do I get up again.” —Vincent Van Gogh
8. “Poetry surrounds us everywhere, but putting it on paper is, alas, not so easy as looking at it.” —Vincent Van Gogh
9. “I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” —Vincent Van Gogh
10. “Do not quench your inspiration and your imagination; do not become the slave of your model.” —Vincent Van Gogh
11. “Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter’s soul.” —Vincent Van Gogh
12. “Conscience is a man’s compass.” —Vincent Van Gogh
13. “Love always brings difficulties, that is true, but the good side of it is that it gives energy.” —Vincent Van Gogh
14. “Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion.” —Vincent Van Gogh
15. “The way to know life is to love many things.” —Vincent Van Gogh
16. “An artist needn’t be a clergyman or a churchwarden, but he certainly must have a warm heart for his fellow men.” —Vincent Van Gogh
17. “It is better to be high-spirited even though one makes more mistakes, than to be narrow-minded and all too prudent.” —Vincent Van Gogh
18. “For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” —Vincent Van Gogh
19. “When I have a terrible need of – shall I say the word – religion. Then I go out and paint the stars.” —Vincent Van Gogh
20. “Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.” —Vincent Van Gogh
21. “Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.” —Vincent Van Gogh
22. “If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” —Vincent Van Gogh
23. “The sadness will last forever.” —Vincent Van Gogh
24. “If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is a grass in the beginning.” —Vincent Van Gogh
25. “Art is to console those who are broken by life.” —Vincent Van Gogh
26. “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” —Vincent Van Gogh
27. “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” —Vincent Van Gogh
28. “I try more and more to be myself, caring relatively little whether people approve or disapprove.” —Vincent Van Gogh
29. “The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its depths it has its pearls too.” —Vincent Van Gogh
30. “The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right.” —Vincent Van Gogh
More Vincent Van Gogh Quotes on Life, Love and Personal Growth
31. “The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right.”
32. “Though I am often in the depths of misery, there is still calmness, pure harmony and music inside me. I see paintings or drawings in the poorest cottages, in the dirtiest corners. And my mind is driven towards these things with an irresistible momentum.”
33. “I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.”
34. “Close friends are truly life’s treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.”
35. “Occasionally, in times of worry, I’ve longed to be stylish, but on second thought I say no—just let me be myself—and express rough, yet true things with rough workmanship.”
36. “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”
37. “The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.”
38. “I would rather die of passion than of boredom.”
39. “I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate.”
40. “I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.”
Who was Vincent Van Gogh? A quick summary of his Life and Artistic Journey
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who lived from 1853 to 1890. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 19th century. He painted about 2,100 artworks in just over a decade, including around 860 oil paintings. They include still lifes, landscapes, portraits of other people and self-portraits as well. His life was marked by poverty, depression, and a relentless pursuit of artistic expression.
Van Gogh was born in the Netherlands to a middle-class family. He showed an early interest in drawing and painting, but did not pursue a career in art until his mid-twenties. He worked as an art dealer and teacher before devoting himself entirely to painting.
Van Gogh’s character was marked by intense passion and emotional turmoil. He struggled with mental illness throughout his life, which led to numerous hospitalizations and ultimately his untimely death at the age of 37. Despite his personal struggles, he remained deeply committed to his art and produced over 2,000 works in just ten years.
Van Gogh’s profession as an artist was not financially successful during his lifetime. He sold only one painting during his lifetime, and was largely supported by his brother Theo. However, his work has since become some of the most valuable and sought-after in the world, due in part to the efforts of Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, who inherited Theo’s collection of Vincent’s paintings after his death and worked tirelessly to promote his work.
Despite his poverty and mental illness, van Gogh was a prolific artist who left an indelible mark on the art world. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world, and his life and character remain a subject of fascination and study.
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If you enjoy this article, check out one of our most popular quote post, a curated collection of positive quotes for daily inspiration.
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