
On the Verge of Insanity
Van Gogh and His Illness
Yale University Press
Published on 22. August 2016
Book
Hardback
176 pages
978-0-300-22245-6 (ISBN)
Description
Accompanying the groundbreaking exhibition currently at the Van Gogh Museum, this publication features new information on Van Gogh's self-inflicted wound to his ear as well as identifying the revolver that was likely used in his suicide
The mental state of Vincent van Gogh (1853--1890) has been a perennial source of discussion and conjecture since his death by suicide. Was he mentally ill or a genius? What was the precise nature of Van Gogh's illness? Did it influence his work? This intriguing publication examines how Van Gogh's mental condition revealed itself in 1888 and how he struggled with it throughout his life. Van Gogh's letters to his brother Theo, his artist friends, and his sister Willemien reveal that his primary reason for living was his art.
Richly illustrated with artworks, letters, previously unpublished historical documents, and photographs, On the Verge of Insanity provides a nuanced and considered overview of an extraordinary man who had to cope with mental illness at a time when the symptoms were readily misunderstood and professional treatment was insufficient. The authors also offer a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding Van Gogh's death in Auvers-sur-Oise, and they review the many diagnoses that have been proposed since the artist's death.
Distributed for Mercatorfonds
Exhibition Schedule:
Van Gogh Museum
(07/15/16-09/25/16)
The mental state of Vincent van Gogh (1853--1890) has been a perennial source of discussion and conjecture since his death by suicide. Was he mentally ill or a genius? What was the precise nature of Van Gogh's illness? Did it influence his work? This intriguing publication examines how Van Gogh's mental condition revealed itself in 1888 and how he struggled with it throughout his life. Van Gogh's letters to his brother Theo, his artist friends, and his sister Willemien reveal that his primary reason for living was his art.
Richly illustrated with artworks, letters, previously unpublished historical documents, and photographs, On the Verge of Insanity provides a nuanced and considered overview of an extraordinary man who had to cope with mental illness at a time when the symptoms were readily misunderstood and professional treatment was insufficient. The authors also offer a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding Van Gogh's death in Auvers-sur-Oise, and they review the many diagnoses that have been proposed since the artist's death.
Distributed for Mercatorfonds
Exhibition Schedule:
Van Gogh Museum
(07/15/16-09/25/16)
Reviews / Votes
"[A] wonderfully-crafted narrative ... lavishly illustrated ... I was mesmerized by this exquisite primer ... a postmortem treatment of the life and death of one of the most intriguing human beings who ever lived."-Aaron W. Hughey, Park City Daily News (Bowling Green KY) -- Aaron W. Hughey Park City Daily NewsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
90 color + 30 b-w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 241 mm
Width: 184 mm
Weight
771 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-22245-6 (9780300222456)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Louis van Tilborgh is senior researcher at the Van Gogh Museum and professor of art history, University of Amsterdam. Nienke Bakker is curator of Van Gogh Paintings, Teio Meedendorp is senior researcher, and Laura Prins is assistant researcher, all at the Van Gogh Museum.