The Forgotten Genius of Vincent van Gogh

Welcome to Did You Know?, the show that uncovers remarkable, lesser-known stories that challenge what we think we know. Today, we dive into the turbulent life of Vincent van Gogh — a man who, during his lifetime, was mostly ignored, mocked, and misunderstood, only to become one of history’s most revered artists.

Van Gogh was born in the Netherlands in 1853. His early life was full of uncertainty and struggle. He failed at several careers before turning to art at 27 — late, by most standards. But what followed was a creative explosion. In just ten years, he produced more than 2,000 artworks, including nearly 900 paintings. That’s an average of one new piece every few days.

Despite this incredible output, van Gogh sold only one painting while alive. His bold colors, rough brushstrokes, and emotional intensity baffled critics and buyers. He was dismissed as unstable. But van Gogh wasn’t simply a madman — he was a visionary.