Van Gogh Timeline: January

This comparative timeline uncovers how Van Gogh’s life evolved from January to January over the years, mostly based on his Letters rather than younger life: where he was living, significant events, artwork and creative milestones, and personal struggles.  Personally, I feel this kind of month-by-month timeline provides a much richer insight into any journey, seeing how life changes from one point in a year to the next, and allows me to better visualise and remember the vast amounts of information involved: this is a work in progress and will fill out over my own journey, something like July's timeline.

January 1879: Borinage and Ministry Work

• Location: Borinage, Belgium.
• Significance: During this period, Van Gogh was working as a lay preacher among impoverished miners, a significant influence on his later empathy for the working class, as seen in his paintings.
• Health: Known to have faced significant struggles with self-doubt about his life’s purpose.
• Letters: Penguin Letters Reference: Letter 133 (to Theo, January 1879). He wrote about the harsh conditions in the mining region and his attempts to comfort miners, reflecting his deep spirituality.

1881: Interest in Art Begins

• Location: Etten, Netherlands.
• Significance: Vincent was beginning to explore drawing seriously.
• Relationships: Living with his parents after struggling in various professions.
• Art: Early experiments with sketches; influenced by his family’s Protestant faith.
• Letters: Letter 150 (to Theo, January 1881). Discusses his fascination with rural life and his growing interest in sketching farmers and workers.

1883: Return to Rural Scenes

• Location: Drenthe, Netherlands.
• Significance: Recently returned from The Hague after his relationship with Clasina Maria Hoornik (“Sien”) ended.
• Art: Early focus on rural landscapes.
• Health and Relationships: Emotionally recovering from his tumultuous relationship with Sien.

1884: Progressing as an Artist

• Location: Nuenen, Netherlands.
• Significance: Began serious work on peasant life, which would culminate in The Potato Eaters the following year.
• Art: Studies of farmers and rural workers.
• Health: Stable but socially isolated.

1886: Arrival in Paris

• Location: Paris, France (beginning of the year in Antwerp).
• Significance: Vincent moved to Paris in early 1886, staying with Theo. This move marked a turning point as he encountered Impressionism and the vibrant art scene.
• Art: January likely involved experiments with brighter colours and preparing for the new influences he would absorb in Paris.
• Relationships: Strengthened bond with Theo.
• Letters: Letter 528 (Penguin Letters): Mentions arriving in Paris and the anticipation of change. January specifically highlights his excitement for Paris' artistic environment.

1888: Arles and the Productive Period

• Location: Arles, France.
• Significance: Moved to Arles in February, but January involved preparations and discussions about his artistic goals.
• Art: January 1888 marked the transition to brighter palettes and his determination to develop a personal style inspired by Japanese prints.
• Relationships: Constant correspondence with Theo, laying out plans for the "Studio of the South."
• Letters: Letter 563 (Penguin Letters): Discusses plans for his move to Arles and excitement for the landscapes there.

1889: Mental Health Crisis and Saint-Rémy

• Location: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France.
• Significance: Recovering after his infamous ear incident (December 1888) and institutionalisation in Saint-Rémy.
• Art: Painted several works focused on interiors and views from his room at the asylum, including preliminary studies.
• Health: Grappling with mental health issues.
• Letters: Letter 569 (Penguin Letters): A heart-wrenching letter to Theo describing his fears and hope for recovery. Letter 577: Further reflections on his mental state, but showing hope for a creative resurgence.

1890: Auvers-sur-Oise, Final Year

• Location: Auvers-sur-Oise, France.
• Significance: Final months of his life, where he worked at an incredible pace.
• Art: Continued producing works inspired by nature but with increasingly expressive and emotional brushwork.
• Health: Deteriorating mental health; felt increasingly alienated despite Theo’s support.

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