Van Gogh is considered one of the greatest artists in history.
His work is known for its bold use of color, expressive line,
and thick application of paint. His paintings influenced the
Expressionist movement in modern art and inspired avant-garde groups
like the Fauves.
Van Gogh’s art became astoundingly popular after his
death, especially in the late 20th century, when his work sold for
record-breaking sums at auctions around the world and was featured in
blockbuster touring exhibitions. In part because of his extensive
published letters, van Gogh has also been mythologized in the popular
imagination as the quintessential tortured artist.
Wide and diverse audiences have come to appreciate his
art, and the record-breaking attendance at exhibitions of his works—as
well as the popularity of commercial items featuring imagery from his
oeuvre—reveal that, within the span of a century, van Gogh has become
perhaps the most recognized painter of all time.