Vincent van Gogh was a post-impressionist painter acclaimed as the greatest Dutch painter next to Rembrandt, but only much later after his death in 1890 at the age of 37. Throughout his career as a painter, this famous Dutch artist was practically unknown, and had remained poor during his lifetime.
After a series of failed courtships and relationships, as well as rejections encountered in his bid to become an evangelist, Van Gogh’s psychological condition slowly deteriorated. Hi mental decline had led to a particular incident in which he cut off his ear and subsequently committed to a mental asylum.
Today, Van Gogh paintings are ranked among the most priceless in the world, fetching owners as much as $53.9 million, (“Irises”) to $82.5 million (“Portrait of Dr. Gachet”) at auctions.
A Backgrounder to the Critic’s Letter
Even while at the asylum, Van Gogh continued to paint, to which the most notable artwork he produced was “The Starry Night.” An art critic named Albert Aurier, wrote a first ever-printed review that praised one of Van Gogh’s works, describing it as
“…excess, excess in strength, excess in nervousness, violence in expression.”
Vincent was so elated over Aurier’s positive review, he wrote the critic a thank-you letter, expressing his appreciation,
. “I rediscover my canvases in your article, but better than they really are – richer, more significant…”
Sadly, four months after sending the thank-you letter, Vincent Willem van Gogh committed suicide. Although Van Gogh was discharged from the mental asylum earlier, he was still distraught about his future and apparently found a reason to end his life by fatally shooting himself in the chest.
Van Gogh’s Letter to Critic Aurier Goes On Public Display at Amsterdam Museum
Through the years since Van Gogh became one of the world’s most important artists, Van Gogh’s letter to the critic passed through the hands of several art collectors. The last owner, a murky character named Aristophil was able to purchase the letter from an auction where the Van Gogh Museum had hoped to procure it. Aristophil though, a known schemer of investments went bankrupt, finally sending the much coveted Van Gogh letter in the auction market in Paris.
Early this month, and with the financial assistance of Hong Kong tycoon Cheung Chung-kiu, the Van Gogh Museum was able to secure Van Gogh’s letter to Aurier, and put it in public display in what is believed to be a first time.