Van Gogh Sisters

The Van Gogh Sisters is a thoughtful and unprecedented biographical history that delves into previously unpublished correspondence in the Van Gogh family archives to bring Vincents three sisters out from their brothers shadow. It portrays their dreams, disappointments, and grief, and highlights their struggles with mental health. The book also captures a moment of profound social, economic, and artistic change in European history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 08 April 2021
Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

The captivating and insightful correspondence between Vincent van Gogh and his art-dealer brother Theo provides a profound glimpse into the mind of one of the most celebrated artists of all time. However, the story of Anna, Lies, and Willemien van Gogh, who were also close to Vincent, deserves to be explored in greater detail. It was an argument with his oldest sister, Anna, following their father's death that prompted Vincent to leave the Netherlands and never return.

The Van Gogh siblings grew up during a time when long-distance travel by train became increasingly feasible. As they pursued their own paths, moving to various cities such as London, Paris, Brussels, and beyond, they maintained the close bonds forged during their childhood in the picturesque countryside of the Netherlands. To preserve these cherished relationships, they exchanged candid and personal letters, sharing their dreams, disappointments, and grief.

In his thoughtful and groundbreaking biographical history, Willem-Jan Verlinden delves into previously unpublished correspondence within the Van Gogh family archives. Through this exploration, he brings Vincent's three sisters out from their brother's shadow, offering a poignant portrayal of their lives, aspirations, and struggles.

Anna, the oldest sister, began her career as a governess in England before marrying a Dutch industrialist. Lies, the second sister, faced financial difficulties despite her literary aspirations and was forced to sell many of her brother's paintings to survive. Willemien, the third sister, was an active participant in the first feminist wave. She accompanied Theo to the studio of Edgar Degas in Paris and engaged in enthusiastic discussions about art with her painter brother. Willemien and Vincent also shared their battles with mental health, with Willemien eventually being institutionalized for the second half of her life.

The Van Gogh Sisters: A Tale of Dreams, Disappointments, and Grief captures a moment of profound social, economic, and cultural transformation. It sheds light on the lives of these three sisters, who played significant roles in Vincent's life and artistic journey. This book offers a fresh perspective on the Van Gogh family, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges they faced throughout their lives.

Weight: 618g
Dimension: 162 x 243 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780500023600