Van Gogh's Last Painting: Great Art Explained

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There was always debate about which painting was the artist’s last. For many years it was thought to be this painting, mainly because it featured in a 1930’s book and the 1956 film adaptation of that book. And the painting’s dark and gloomy subject matter seemed to perfectly encapsulate the last days of van Gogh, full of foreboding of his eventual death.
But now, it is widely accepted that this unusual work is his last painting.
The mystery of what it was and where it was painted would take over a century to solve, and that was only thanks to a worldwide epidemic.
What it means is that we now have a deeper insight into what van Gogh’s final last hours were like - before his tragic death.

I would like to thank all my Patreon supporters, in particular Alan Stewart, Alexander Velser, Alyssa Phillips, AMSN, Anja Zeutschel, Bria Nicole Art, David Asabreu, Christa Sawyer, Eric Mann, Erique K, Francis Song, Griffin Evans, Hugo Moita, Jemma Theivendran, John Baer, Jon Hanzen, Julio Cardenas, Karim Hopper, Kibibi Shaw, Louise Tait, Monte St Johns, New Curiosity, Paul Ark, Paul Waterman, Sagar Saxena, Sean Welgemoed, Stefan Paisson, Stephen Beresford, Tanya Moore, Theresa Garfink, Toni Ko, Tyler Wittreich, and Will Dew's-Power.

"What a brilliant series this is" - Stephen Fry on Twitter

SUBTITLES

Spanish subtitles by Alma Perdomo (Gracias!)

CREDITS

Recording and sound Mix by Robert Lewis (Thank you!)

FILMS
Eternity's Gate (2018): directed by Julian Scannable ©Curzon Films
Lust for Life (1956): Directed by Vincente Minelli ©MGM
Van Gogh (1995): Directed by Maurice Pialat ©Gaumont

VIDEOS
All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel do not claim any right over them.

MUSIC
Music: Gymnopedie No. 3 - Wahneta Meixsell

BOOKS
Van Gogh's Finale: Auvers and the Artist's Rise to Fame by Martin Bailey (highly recommended!)
Starry Night: Van Gogh at the Asylum by Martin Bailey (also highly recommended!)
Van Gogh in Auvers: His Last Days by Wouter Van Der Veen (brilliant visuals and text)
Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise: His Final Months by Nienke Bakker, Emmanuel Coquery, et al.
The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh by Vincent Van Gogh, Ronald de Leeuw, et al
Van Gogh by Ingo F. Walther

Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

[harrow]

This is the clearest view of Van Gogh's last years I've ever seen. Honestly think this should be shown in the Van Gogh museum.

[josephatthecoop]

The simplest answer is often the correct one … and the best telling of a story is often the simplest; truthful and respectful, without embellishment or speculation. The complexity of his life and death speaks for itself. Thank you for this lovely, simple telling of his last days and work.

[Noonespecial]

“A nice sunny spot within the wheat fields.” I became quite sad hearing that line but after reflecting for quite a while it suddenly became the perfect ending. Well done sir. Your best yet.

[DeliriumWartner]

I don't cry at much but, as a sufferer of depression and anxiety myself, this got me

[andrew]

Hands down the best description of Vincent’s last days he’s always been an inspiration for me just like him I’ve always felt that I’m a burden to my family and friends but they are always their to snap me out of it rest easy Vincent

[kbrooke]

James,
I recently visited Paris and saw some of the most magical art. Some of these pieces, I learned about from you. Thanks to you, not only was I able to enjoy the visual aspects of seeing the art, but I was able to appreciate the history of the pieces I learned about from your channel and connect with them on a deeper level. Thank you.

[inspiredshelf]

I'd never been able to forge any interest in art history until I found your channel. Every video of yours I've watched has been absolutely fascinating. Thank you for opening up this new avenue of knowledge to me. I love and appreciate what you do! ❤️

[agush_co]

Amazing Mr Payne. Of all the artists i have ever seen a documentary about, never before have i felt this kind of empathy for anyone. You showed me the world of Van Gogh, and i felt like it could swallow me whole. A life of agony and pain, and yet as a by-stander I can't help but feel a sense of ease and calm in the life at Auvers. Away from the city, among the sunny wheat fields, through the grooves. Slowly losing my mind and sanity, yet trying desperately to hold onto whatever sense of humanity that was left by filling blank canvas with a gorgeous blend of paint that conceals such an outburst of emotions and feelings. Thank You, Mr Payne. Had i not stumbled upon your channel, had you not created such a channel, i would have forever been deprived from this joy of art. ❤

[TheArmachillo]

That last painting happens to be one of my favorite Van Gogh’s. I see himself and humans in that painting intertwined in those roots. They look to me like human shapes and he had always seen trees as alive and trying to thrive like us. Tangled, both in life and death. He was misunderstood, but I can understand him through that painting and many others. Thank you!

[annettewillis]

This telling of Vincent Van Gogh's last days is clear, memorable and deeply moving. Thank you so much James. Perhaps it is, as others say, one of your best films yet.

[supremereader]

You are among the best art narrarors on Youtube - and there are MANY that are very good. Thank you for bringing us this kind of content. I've watched many Vincent Van Gogh documentaries, but never heard before now that he hadn't suffered any major break-downs until age 35.

[jamesford]

I am 80 years old and just starting to appreciate. Great Art / Artist.
Your Van Gogh presentation was very moving..
James F. CANADA

[Yes_Im_Adarsh]

From 2019-2023 I struggled a lot from mental illness I had very acute depression, ADHD & C-PTSD, your videos has helped a lot & now I’m very well & great full ❤

[creatrix_britt]

Sobbing all morning at the fact that they lay to rest together.

[SpaceTimeTurtle]

A haunting and beautiful portrait.
So much so, I shed an uncommon tear right at the end.
There was too much pain and beauty within VVG to ever really afford him a long and healthy life.
Rest easy VVG and TVG.

[fishypaw]

Thank you for this. Hearing what he said in his letters, and now knowing that his last painting was of tree roots, is so poignant. I love Vincent, and his works. It is so sad that his life ended the way it did, but what a legacy he left behind. I feel inspired to paint. Again, thank you.

[filldev]

I begin watching to better understand a work of art. I end up better understanding the humanity behind it. Happens every time. Thank you.

[stephaniehendricks]

This is an interesting topic in art and history. Always a good way to end a friday. Have fun on your trip to portugal!

[isacj]

This is amazing! Wow, as an aeronautics engineer in graduation, your videos, James, inspire me to go beyond myself, and ignites a very alive passion of pursuing art. Thanks you!

[JimmyNasium]

Thank you for sharing this video with all of us. You are expanding my horizons.