When Vincent van Gogh tragically ended his life at the age of 37, he left behind around 2000 artworks which, thanks to his sister-in-law, finally found their way onto museum and gallery walls around the world. His inspiring landscapes, self-portraits and sunflower paintings are also accompanied by thousands of letters, filled with powerful, wise and now famous words which present a deeply thoughtful man, who turned to art as a form of therapy. Here are 15 of the most inspirational quotes from Vincent van Gogh…
Vincent van Gogh: On never giving up
I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.
If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.
The beginning is perhaps more difficult than anything else, but keep heart, it will turn out all right.
It is looking at things for a long time that ripens you and gives you a deeper meaning.
Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.
Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.
Vincent van Gogh: On art as therapy
Art is to console those who are broken by life.
The only time I feel alive is when I’m painting.
Vincent van Gogh: On books
It is with the reading of books the same as with looking at pictures; one must, without doubt, without hesitations, with assurance, admire what is beautiful.
Be careful not to become narrow-minded, or afraid of reading what is well written, quite the reverse, such writings are a source of comfort in life.
Vincent van Gogh: On nature
Always continue walking a lot and loving nature, for that’s the real way to learn to understand art better and better. Painters understand nature and love it, and teach us to see.
The sight of stars makes me dream.
At present I absolutely want to paint a starry sky. It often seems to me that night is still more richly coloured than the day; having hues of the most intense violets, blues and greens. If only you pay attention to it you will see that certain stars are lemon-yellow, others pink or a green, blue and forget-me-not brilliance. And without my expatiating on this theme it is obvious that putting little white dots on the blue-black is not enough to paint a starry sky.
Vincent van Gogh: On love
I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say ‘he feels deeply, he feels tenderly’.
Vincent van Gogh: On living well
Admire as much as you can. Most people do not admire enough.
