“The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.” – Auguste Rodin

Van Gogh’s Story: A Reflection of Struggle, Resilience, and Hope

Van Gogh’s art has always captivated me with its vibrant energy and emotional depth. When I was invited to teach a workshop in Provence, France near St. Remy and Luberon in May 2025, the same region where Van Gogh created some of his most iconic works, I felt compelled to explore his story more deeply. A recent visit to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York reignited my admiration, especially for the resilience and tenacity evident in his work. Yet Van Gogh’s legacy is not just his art—it is also the story of those who supported him, like his brother Theo and sister-in-law Johanna, whose dedication ensured his work would endure beyond his lifetime.

It is a story of love, connection, and overcoming adversity. It would not be complete without telling a little about Theo and Johanna, Theo’s wife. Theo was a prominent art dealer in Paris in the late 19th century. He was key in introducing contemporary Dutch and French art to the public, including Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. He promoted artists like Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Paul Gauguin, and helped popularize their work. Theo provided financial and emotional support for Vincent and guided him into an art career. After Theo’s passing, his wife Johanna was the marketing genius behind Vincent’s later fame. Johanna inherited Vincent's letters, sketches, and paintings and preserved all his work. She was the first to employ several groundbreaking strategies to market Vincent’s work including connecting the artist’s work by sharing his emotional struggles and artistic insights through his letters, organizing European exhibitions, controlling the release of his work, gifting works to museums etc.. Johanna’s work reminds us that art is not only about creation but also about sharing stories that resonate with others, offering comfort, hope, and inspiration.

Van Gogh’s life mirrors the struggles we all face—self-doubt, fear of failure, and the search for purpose. But through his art, he teaches us about resilience, impermanence, and hope. These themes remind us that creativity can transform pain into beauty, chaos into meaning, and uncertainty into courage. Whether facing adversity, embracing imperfections, or finding healing through art, Van Gogh’s story inspires us to persist and create, even when the path forward is unclear.

Van Gogh’s willingness to keep creating, despite setbacks and rejection, encourages us to stay committed to our passions and dreams, even when the path is unclear. His work celebrates impermanence, change, and imperfection—qualities that make art, and life, beautiful. Van Gogh’s ability to transform ordinary scenes—fields of wheat, olive groves, and starry skies—into extraordinary works of art challenges us to find beauty in our surroundings and appreciate the present moment.  For Van Gogh, painting was more than self-expression; it was a way to cope with mental and emotional struggles. His story underscores the healing power of creativity, offering hope to those navigating their own challenges.

In “The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh”, Vincent writes of his mental illness, his acceptance of his current situation, and his gratitude that he is among others who suffer the same condition, so he does not feel as alone. He goes on to say to Theo “that despite his diagnosis he has high hopes of abating the disease.” These glimpses into Van Gogh’s life remind us that the road will get bumpy but staying the course reaps many benefits. His letters give you a glimpse into Van Gogh’s complex mind—his passion for art, his love for nature, his philosophical musings, and his deep connection to his brother Theo. They reflect how his time in Saint-Rémy, though marked by personal hardship, was of immense artistic and emotional depth.

Vincent van Gogh’s spent a year at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (1889–1890). It was one of his most pivotal periods of his career. He painted nearly 150 works during this time, including “The Starry Night,” “Wheatfields with Cypresses,” and “Irises.” These works are now among his most celebrated and showcase his mature style. In St. Remy, Vincent experimented more deeply with expressive color and brushstrokes. He moved beyond mere representation, creating works that conveyed intense emotional and spiritual resonance. The natural surroundings of the asylum—olive groves, cypress trees, wheat fields, and the Alpilles mountains—became a profound source of inspiration. These scenes were transformed into vibrant, almost otherworldly interpretations. He writes “The olive trees are very characteristic, and I am struggling to catch them. The rustle of an olive grove has something very intimate, immensely old.” Later he writes “When I look at the stars, I always dream… Why, I say to myself, shouldn’t the shining dots of the sky be as accessible as the black dots on the map of France?” which led him to paint “Starry Night”.  In “Starry Night” he expresses a deep sense of turbulence but also a yearning for peace.

“Starry Night”, 1889

“Wheatfields with Cypress”, 1889

Me admiring Van Gogh’s “Irises”,1889

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Next May my students and I will visit and paint at the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Visiting Saint-Rémy, where Van Gogh painted many of his masterpieces, allows artists and art lovers to step into this deeply personal chapter of his life. Surrounded by the landscapes that inspired him—olive trees, cypress groves, and golden fields—we are reminded of the transformative power of nature and creativity. For artists, painting in Saint-Rémy is not just about capturing scenery; it’s about tapping into the emotional energy and resilience that Van Gogh embodied. It’s a chance to reflect on our struggles, channel them into creation, and experience the timeless connection between art, healing, and growth.

Below is one of my gouache paintings in tribute to Van Gogh’s masterworks. I am looking forward to getting a deeper understanding and appreciation of his work when I paint in St. Remy next year. If you would like to join me in this great artistic adventure, please go to: https://frenchescapade.com/ellen-howard-provence/ and experience the beauty of this region and Van Gogh’s brillance and triumph over adversity.

My gouache version of Van Gogh’s "Wheatfields with Cypresses"

It was very fun to try and capture the energy Van Gogh created with this paintings. I especially enjoyed painting the clouds and sky with all its movement and beautiful color!