Van Gogh Timeline: January

This comparative timeline uncovers how Van Gogh’s life evolved from January to January over the years, mostly based on his Letters rather than younger life: where he was living, significant events, artwork and creative milestones, and personal struggles.  Personally, I feel this kind of month-by-month timeline provides a much richer insight into any journey, seeing how life changes from one point in a year to the next, and allows me to better visualise and remember the vast amounts of information involved: this is a work in progress and will fill out over my own journey, something like July's timeline.

January 1879: Borinage and Ministry Work

• Location: Borinage, Belgium.
• Significance: During this period, Van Gogh was working as a lay preacher among impoverished miners, a significant influence on his later empathy for the working class, as seen in his paintings.
• Health: Known to have faced significant struggles with self-doubt about his life’s purpose.
• Letters: Penguin Letters Reference: Letter 133 (to Theo, January 1879). He wrote about the harsh conditions in the mining region and his attempts to comfort miners, reflecting his deep spirituality.

1881: Interest in Art Begins

• Location: Etten, Netherlands.
• Significance: Vincent was beginning to explore drawing seriously.
• Relationships: Living with his parents after struggling in various professions.
• Art: Early experiments with sketches; influenced by his family’s Protestant faith.
• Letters: Letter 150 (to Theo, January 1881). Discusses his fascination with rural life and his growing interest in sketching farmers and workers.

1883: Return to Rural Scenes

• Location: Drenthe, Netherlands.
• Significance: Recently returned from The Hague after his relationship with Clasina Maria Hoornik (“Sien”) ended.
• Art: Early focus on rural landscapes.
• Health and Relationships: Emotionally recovering from his tumultuous relationship with Sien.

1884: Progressing as an Artist

• Location: Nuenen, Netherlands.
• Significance: Began serious work on peasant life, which would culminate in The Potato Eaters the following year.
• Art: Studies of farmers and rural workers.
• Health: Stable but socially isolated.

1886: Arrival in Paris

• Location: Paris, France (beginning of the year in Antwerp).
• Significance: Vincent moved to Paris in early 1886, staying with Theo. This move marked a turning point as he encountered Impressionism and the vibrant art scene.
• Art: January likely involved experiments with brighter colours and preparing for the new influences he would absorb in Paris.
• Relationships: Strengthened bond with Theo.
• Letters: Letter 528 (Penguin Letters): Mentions arriving in Paris and the anticipation of change. January specifically highlights his excitement for Paris' artistic environment.

1888: Arles and the Productive Period

• Location: Arles, France.
• Significance: Moved to Arles in February, but January involved preparations and discussions about his artistic goals.
• Art: January 1888 marked the transition to brighter palettes and his determination to develop a personal style inspired by Japanese prints.
• Relationships: Constant correspondence with Theo, laying out plans for the "Studio of the South."
• Letters: Letter 563 (Penguin Letters): Discusses plans for his move to Arles and excitement for the landscapes there.

1889: Mental Health Crisis and Saint-Rémy

• Location: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France.
• Significance: Recovering after his infamous ear incident (December 1888) and institutionalisation in Saint-Rémy.
• Art: Painted several works focused on interiors and views from his room at the asylum, including preliminary studies.
• Health: Grappling with mental health issues.
• Letters: Letter 569 (Penguin Letters): A heart-wrenching letter to Theo describing his fears and hope for recovery. Letter 577: Further reflections on his mental state, but showing hope for a creative resurgence.

1890: Auvers-sur-Oise, Final Year

• Location: Auvers-sur-Oise, France.
• Significance: Final months of his life, where he worked at an incredible pace.
• Art: Continued producing works inspired by nature but with increasingly expressive and emotional brushwork.
• Health: Deteriorating mental health; felt increasingly alienated despite Theo’s support.

Join the Van Gogh Explorer Community

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Why Do Van Gogh’s Paintings Seem to Move?

   Feb 12, 25 10:00 AM

   Ever wondered how Van Gogh's paintings like Starry Night seem to have movement? Research has shown that "paintings from Van Gogh’s period of psychotic agitation behave remarkably similarly to fluid tu…

   Continue Reading

2. Van Gogh's Starry Night Bread Art

   Feb 11, 25 10:00 AM

   Part of the reason behind Van Gogh Everything! is to find and showcase Van Gogh-inspired curiosities - this tasty-looking bread art, painted with asparagus, peppers and tomatoes, caught our eye whilst…

   Continue Reading

3. Lost Van Gogh Painting? Controversial Report into a $50 Garage Sale Find

   Feb 08, 25 09:33 AM

   Is this a lost Van Gogh or is it by another artist? The painting of the fisherman - titled 'Elimar' - was originally bought for $50 at a garage sale in 2016 and then sold to an art data science compan…

   Continue Reading

Home  |  About  |  Privacy

(c) All rights Reserved. VanGoghEverything.com 2025