Born in the Netherlands in 1853, Van Gogh led a simple life in a small town until the age of 16. He then left school and joined a firm of art dealers in the large city of The Hague. He eventually realized that dealing with others' artwork was not his profession, his true love was to become an artist himself.
He devoted much of his time to learning the fundamentals of drawing. Van Gogh believed that to become a great painter, one must first master the ability to draw. It was only after he was comfortable in this area that he began to use oil paints. That is when he developed a style and talent for color that made him one of the most respected artists of all time.
Van Gogh's paintings are amazing representations of his view of the world. The colors jump off the canvas（画布）, not only because of their brightness but also because of the brush strokes（笔画）. Van Gogh avoided light, feathery strokes, which would portray typical subjects. Instead, he used his brush and oils to make layers that built the painting until it was almost three-dimensional.
Perhaps one of the most memorable examples of Van Gogh's use of color and brush style is his painting The Starry Night. The sky swirls（打旋）across the canvas, while the stars shine with unearthly brightness. Each brush stroke creates the image of movement. Under the sky rests a village painted with smaller strokes and finer detail, giving the impression of peace. A large tree in the foreground suggests that the view is enjoyed from the top of a hill, which offers a glance of the beauty of the night sky. The Starry Night shows Van Gogh's ability to create a powerful image with simple subjects.
Van Gog spent only the last ten years of his life painting. He is believed to have sold only one of the 900 paint he created during those years. Yet Van Gogh today is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. He influence is evident; many painters mimic his style and use of color. His artwork can be found in museums all over the world and is valued in the millions of dollars, a testament to Vincent Van Gogh's talent.
