Bringing the life and work of a truly unique artist to life, Van Gogh is a comprehensive guide to one of the most unconventional and highly original artists of the nineteenth century. Perhaps the most famous artist in the world, Vincent Van Gogh is perceived by many as the 'mad' artist, the man who painted in a frenzy or simply the tormented soul who cut off his ear. His artistic genius is often overshadowed by those who see his paintings as mere visual manifestations of his troubled mind. Whilst in part this may be true, in reality his innovative and unique artistic style was of enormous importance to a host of artists who followed in his wake. Even when openly influenced by his predecessors or contemporaries his art remained identifiably his own, developing a distinctive style that failed to be accepted by the art-buying public in his own lifetime. From his earliest watercolours depicting the plight of rural Dutch peasants, through his attempts to be accepted by the Parisian avant-garde, right up to his final paintings of the Auvers countryside, every aspect of his life is celebrated in this beautiful reference book. AUTHOR: Michael Robinson is a freelance lecturer and writer on British art and design history. Originally an art dealer with his own provincial gallery in Sussex, he entered academic life by way of a career change, having gained a first class honours and Masters degree at Kingston University. He is currently working on his doctorate, a study of early modernist period British dealers. He continues to lecture on British and French art of the Modern period. 176 colour illustrations