Van Gogh & Mental Illness

Van Gogh & Mental Illness

Does anyone know that Van Gogh, the painter had "mental illness"? In fact, some famous musicians, painters, poets, philosophers, writers and actors have had mental illness. Mental illness is the most misunderstood form of illness in the world, especially Pakistan. Mental or psychological illness does not mean that the person is "mentally deficient". It only means that the patients face some disturbance in the minds during phases but are normal apart from that. They are more sensitive and emotional than an average person also. And gifted with tremendous talents. But not all patients are able to achieve greatness in this world since the lives of many are simply wasted due to lack of proper treatment.

The Painting Above: Van Gogh, Irises, Spring 1890. Oil on canvas, 71 x 93 cm. The Getty Museum, Los Angeles.

Painting Above: Vincent van Gogh, Irises, 1890, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

Vincent van Gogh painted a number of flower still lifes during his last weeks at Saint-Rémy hospital in May 1890. He used the subject to experiment with colour and contrast. In ‘Irises’ he has placed the purple-blue flowers against a yellow background. Van Gogh spoke of 'an effect of terribly disparate complementaries that reinforce each other by their opposition.' 

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