Vincent van Gogh's artworks: a personal journey

Let me introduce myself: I am Amadeo Pérez, an art lover who has had the privilege of traveling the world and immersing myself in the work of one of the most misunderstood geniuses in history: Vincent van Gogh. My relationship with his work is not limited to admiring his paintings in museums; I have also studied his life, his technique and, above all, his overflowing passion that is present in every brushstroke.

If you have ever stopped in front of one of his pieces, you will know what I am talking about. His colors vibrate, his landscapes breathe, his characters look straight into your soul. But there's also an undercurrent of pain and struggle that makes each work more than a painting: it's a piece of Van Gogh's heart and mind. In this article, I'll take you by the hand through the most iconic pieces, analyzing their meaning and what makes them unique.

Vincent van Gogh: the tormented genius

Before we delve into his works, let's talk about the man behind the canvas. Van Gogh was born in 1853 in the Netherlands and lived a life marked by poverty, mental illness and an inordinate passion for art. He barely sold a painting during his lifetime, yet today his works are some of the most valuable in the world.

What fascinates me most about Van Gogh is his ability to transform his pain into beauty. When everything around him was falling apart, he found refuge in art. And it shows. His paintings are not only visually stunning; they are also emotionally profound.

Van Gogh's most iconic works

I'm going to tell you about some of his most famous pieces, those that I've had the fortune to admire live. Each one has a story to tell and a style that reflects the evolution of Van Gogh himself.

The Starry Night

This painting is, without a doubt, one of Van Gogh's best-known works. Turbulent skies, stars that seem to dance and a quiet moonlit village. When I first saw it at MoMA in New York, I couldn't help but be mesmerized. Did you know he painted this from the sanatorium where he was an inpatient? It's a clear example of how his chaotic mind created something sublime.

The Sunflowers

What is it about sunflowers that make them so special? Van Gogh's sunflower series is a love letter to color. The bright yellow hues symbolize happiness and vitality, but they also have an air of melancholy. Seeing them at the National Gallery in London, I realized that these paintings don't just represent flowers; they represent the indomitable spirit of Van Gogh.

The Bedroom at Arles

This painting especially moved me when I saw it at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. It's so simple, so intimate. It shows Van Gogh's bedroom in the Yellow House, a place he considered his refuge. But if you look closely, you'll notice that there's something messy about the perspective, as if everything is slightly out of place. This reflects his emotional instability.

Wheat Field with Crows

This is possibly one of his last paintings before his tragic death. A wheat field under a dark sky, with crows flying in all directions. Despair and beauty coexist in this painting in an almost painful way.When I stood in front of it at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, I felt a lump in my throat. It was as if Van Gogh himself was saying goodbye.

Van Gogh's technique: brushstrokes that come alive

If there is one thing that distinguishes Vincent van Gogh's works, it is his technique. He used thick, energetic brushstrokes that gave texture to his paintings. His colors were bold, often unreal, but always full of emotion.

In person, these brushstrokes almost seem three-dimensional. I remember being in the Kröller-Müller Museum, also in the Netherlands, and feeling like touching the surface of the paintings. I didn't, of course (though the urge was there!).

Why are Van Gogh's works still relevant today

Why are we still talking about Vincent van Gogh more than 130 years after his death? The answer is simple: his art is universal. His paintings speak of love, pain, beauty and madness.These are themes we can all relate to.

But there is also something else. In a world where everything moves so fast, Van Gogh's paintings force us to stop and look. They remind us that there is beauty in the details, in fleeting moments and simple things.

Conclusion: an immortal legacy

My relationship with Vincent van Gogh's artwork is personal, but also universal. Anyone who takes the time to explore his work can find something that speaks directly to their heart. Van Gogh didn't just paint pictures; he painted emotions, dreams and sometimes nightmares.

If you ever get the chance to see one of his works in person, don't waste it. I promise it won't be just any experience. And if you already have, tell me: what did you feel? Because in the end, that's what makes art so powerful: it connects our souls across time and space.

If you ever get the chance to see one of his works in person, don't waste it.