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VanGogh as a "Tortured Genius"

Overview

Vincent van Gogh has inspired countless people around the world, and since his death has become one of the most famous and influential artists of the modern era. Throughout his career, he produced close to 2,100 works, most of which were completed during the final years of his life. His legacy is one of art and productivity.

Also included in his legacy, however, are his struggles with mental health. A popular narrative about a "tortured artist" has often orbited around his name and work, with many believing it was his poor mental health that allowed him to create such famous works of beauty.

Many fans of his are familiar with the stories of van Gogh eating paint, cutting his own ear off, and ultimately commiting suicide. More than that, they credit such struggle to his success. But is his pain really what led to his work finding the love and acclaim it did?

The aim of this project is to determine whether van Gogh's most productive periods were due to his lowest moments, or if there's more to the story than many people think. Through analyzing van Gogh's letters to his brother, Theo, we hope to learn from the man and painter himself about how he was feeling when he completed his most famous and revered works.

Art Work
Art Work

About the Team

This project was completed by Colin Woelfel, Nate McDowell, Charlie Taylor, and Rachel Saula for Computational Methods for the Humanities, a course taught at the University of Pittsburgh by Dr. David Birnbaum and Dr. James Pickett.

Colin Woelfel is a freshman at Pitt. He is majoring in Computer Science and is interested in the intersection of technology and the humanities.

Nate McDowell is a freshman at Pitt. He is undecided major interested in pursuing a field at the intersection of business and visual design.

Charlie Taylor is a freshman at Pitt. She is majoring in History of Art and Architecture and Anthropology, and is interested in the popular reception of art history.

Rachel Saula is a junior at Pitt. She is majoring in English Writing with a minor in History, and plans to pursue a career in publishing.

We would also like to give special thanks to Dana Kaufhold for working as our mentor, as well as to Dr. David Birnbaum and Dr. James Pickett for providing the resources necessary to create this project.