Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist (Paperback)

by Jan Greenberg (Author), Sandra Jordan (Author) "ON MARCH 30, 1853, the handsome, soberly dressed Reverend Theodorous van Gogh entered the ancient town hall of Groot-Zundert, in the Brabant, a province of..." (more)
Key Phrases: high yellow note, yellow house, Van Gogh Museum, Vincent van Gogh Foundation, Emile Bernard (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up-This compelling book begins with van Gogh's boyhood and traces the various career paths (art dealer, missionary) he pursued before dedicating himself to painting. The authors draw on the artist's voluminous correspondence with his brother Theo to elicit his thoughts and feelings, providing glimpses inside the head of this most unusual person. The use of his own phrases enlivens the text: "The more I am spent, ill, a broken pitcher, the more I become an artist, creator-." His passionate dedication to his work-living on nothing but coffee and bread for days, sacrificing his physical and mental health for the sake of art-was extraordinary. Largely unappreciated in his own lifetime, he was certain of the value and importance of his work, yet still a bit apprehensive of even the slight bit of success that came near the end of his life. The infamous incident with the ear is included as part of an overall portrait, and varying theories as to his so-called madness (a rare form of epilepsy, psychological traumas from childhood) are presented. In addition to a few black-and-white family photographs, the volume has an eight-page insert of fine-quality, full-color reproductions of the artist's works. This outstanding, well-researched biography is fascinating reading.

Robin L. Gibson, Perry County District Library, New Lexington, OH

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Gr. 7-12. Greenberg and Jordan, authors of titles such as Chuck Close Up Close (1998) and Frank O'Gehry: Outside In (2000), offer yet another outstanding artist's biography. In elegant, captivating language, they debunk myths about Van Gogh as lunatic and loner. Following his life story from birth to death, they describe the artist as an irascible, stubborn, and erratic member of a family that supported him through aborted attempts to become an art dealer and a preacher, before he finally settled on painting, a career fully supported by his brother Theo, with whom he lived in Paris. Also detailed are Van Gogh's years of drinking and schmoozing among the greats of the Montmartre art scene, organizing exhibitions, enjoying great friendships with other artists, and finally moving to the south of France, where he hoped to start an artist's collective. The authors do a remarkable job of presenting Van Gogh's complex personality (described by his brother as "gifted, delicate, and tender" and "cruel and hard-hearted"); his periods of manic energy; and the ear incident, in a straightforward, even understated way, showing that he was not "crazy," but rather suffered from epilepsy. They also help readers look at the painter's work, and at art in general, discuss the artist's motivations and techniques, and bring readers up-close with immediate, moving scenes of Van Gogh at work in the fields as he strove to paint his "high yellow note." An exceptional biography that reveals the humanity behind the myth. Reproductions, a glossary, and other appended material will help this find cross-curricular support. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Yearling (January 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440419174
• ISBN-13: 978-0440419174
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #483,042 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Letters from Vincent to his brother and patron, October 17, 2001

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist (Hardcover)

Vincent Van Gogh only painted for ten years of his life but his paintings are still compelling to modern audiences. This biography of the painter is directed to ages 10 and older and provides a discussion of not only his works, but why he went mad and why he cut off his ear. Letters from Vincent to his brother and patron explore his behaviors and thinking.

4.0 out of 5 stars Odd duck Dutchman disappoints, ditches; gains respect and admiration for masterful artwork only in death, December 24, 2008

By	Julee Rudolf "book snob" (Oak Harbor, WA USA) - See all my reviews

The last words of a dying Vincent van Gogh, having shot himself in the stomach ten years into his career as an artist, (p 103) "I wished I could pass away like this." A tragic ending to a troubled life, van Gogh was only thirty-seven years old. Although his family worried about his extremist behavior, mental state, relationships with women, and inability to make a decent wage (for much of his life, his brother Theo supported him), the Dutchman's self-confidence in the salability of his work is obvious from letters he wrote to his supportive younger brother (over 600 in all). And although he had male friendships, female relationships, and a brief engagement, his affliction with a medical condition, (p 86) "an unusual form of epilepsy, possibly complicated by the effects of absinthe or digitalis poisoning," resulted in occasional bizarre behavior and a reputations as a bit of a mental case: Vincent (p 79) "slashed off his earlobe with a razor" after an altercation with his roommate and friend Paul Gauguin.

The book covers from his birth, to a pastor father and an amateur artist mother; through his various careers, primarily as a missionary and then a painter; to his early death and includes information on his relationships and paintings (including photographs), and geographical locations. Although written at about a fourth grade reading level, Vincent van Gogh, an excellent, chronologically-written biography of a misunderstood man, might better be saved for sixth grade and up due to the sensitive issue of suicide. Also good: The Second Mrs. Giaconda by E.L. Konigsburg (for adults) and Art Songs: Ten Songs about Artists by Agnes and Aubrey (kids music CD).