Van Gogh – Tormented Genius | Biographical Documentary

If you have already watched Part 1, please skip to 20.32.

Vincent van Gogh is almost as well known for cutting off his ear as he is for his paintings and has long been thought of as the classic tormented genius – ahead of his time, misunderstood and hounded by lesser mortals who failed to recognize his talent.

But how much do we really know about van Gogh – his unsettled early years, his failed attempts to become a preacher, his disastrous love life, and his tortured but frenetically productive final period?

In this biographical documentary I explore the life, and death, of one of the world’s greatest artists to uncover van Gogh the man, as well as van Gogh the madman.
This video charts his early years and the awakening of his artistic talent and the explosion of creativity he experienced in the South of France and his descent into madness.

0:00-20:32 - Part 1
20:32-53:27 - Part 2

Finding Out More:

Academic References;
Ter Borg, M., and Trenité, D. K. N. (2012). The cultural context of diagnosis: The case of Vincent van Gogh. Epilepsy and Behavior, 25(3), 431-439.
Vicentini, C. B., Manfredini, S., Maritati, M., Di Nuzzo, M., and Contini, C. (2019). Gonorrhea, a current disease with ancient roots: from the remedies of the past to future perspectives. Infez Med, 27(2), 212-221.
Voskuil, P. (2020). Vincent van Gogh and his illness. A reflection on a posthumous diagnostic exercise. Epilepsy and Behavior, 111, 107258.

Copyright Disclaimer:
The primary purpose of this video is educational. I have tried to use material in the public domain or with Creative Commons Non-attribution licences wherever possible. Where attribution is required, I have listed this below. I believe that any copyright material used falls under the remit of Fair Use, but if any content owners would like to dispute this, I will not hesitate to immediately remove that content. It is not my intention to infringe on content ownership in any way. If you happen to find your art or images in the video, please let me know and I will be glad to credit you.

Images:
Wikimedia Commons
Van Gogh Museum
Wellcome Collection
National Gallery, London

Music:
Johann Sebastian Bach: Organ Sonata in C major BWV 529 Hans Otto. Creative Commons Attribution 1.0
Johann Sebastian Bach: "Little" Fugue in G Minor, BWV 578 performed by the saxophone section of the United States Army Field Band. Public domain.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Grosse Fuge, opus 133. Merel Quartet. CC3.0
Johannes Brahms: Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet - Op. 115. William McColl and the Orford String Quartet. CC2.0
Claude Debussy Rêverie Arr for Soprano saxophone and piano David Hernando Vitores CC4.0
Claude Debussy - La fille aux cleveux de lin - David Hernando Vitores - Kayoko Morimoto CC4
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5, IV. Adagietto -Peabody Symphony Orchestra CC1.0
Jacques Offenbach's opera Orpheus in the Underworld CC0 via MusOpen
Erik Satie: Gnossienne 1,3, 5 & 6. La Pianista CC3.0.
Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons – Winter RV 297. The Modena Chamber Orchestra. CC1.0

Video produced by Graeme Yorston and Tom Yorston.

[_letstartariot]

Hearing about Vincent and Theo’s relationship always makes me feel emotional. Vincent was so misunderstood. But his little brother loved him and cared about him.

[cherrystoltz]

I am on the autism spectrum and thought he was too as i watched your video. I'm 73 now and was an artist/designer most of my life. The video made me cry because i understand only too well what it is like to be sidelined, misunderstood and even shunned.

[jennklein]

I have always admired Theos wife. Through her adroitness, she kept all the letters between the brothers. Also keeping as many of his paintings alive! An admirable benefactor, and loyal wife and sister and law🎉

[beatrizmenezes]

Despite having lived a life of sadness, he left nothing but beauty.

[ginabadeaux]

my passion for painting and art is immense, i became bipolar when i was 19, i am 64 and live alone, i paint everyday and watch art videos all day, thank you, i relate to him in an artistic way,

[zajournals]

By far, my favorite artist. I shed tears at his grave, and thanked him, as well as Theo.

[deborahtilling]

Only knew the song starry starry night by Don McLean.
I came across your amazing story in the wee hours of today and i was captivated.
Truly the world was never meant for one as beautiful as Vincent.
What a tortured, tormented man.
So creative and yet so misunderstood.
Rejected by so many feeling lost and abandoned in his own world without anyone trying to find him.

[patrickturner]

My children on their Dutch mothers side are decendants of Maria Van Gogh his second cousin. Found this out visiting the family cemetery in Holland.

[scottyoung]

I’m late diagnosed Autistic, and for years I’ve said I can understand his words and paintings. His immense connection to religion and the poor, combined with reverence for nature. His noticing things others overlook . His wanting to know love but struggling to conform to norms. Food issues, not eating. Meltdowns and angry outbursts, followed by philosophical and intense moments of awe. Highly focused work sessions followed by exhaustion. Not to mention the trauma of being rejected, ridiculed, and in survival mode. I’m 53, and I can tell you the longer I’ve gone unsupported, the more intense my burnouts and grief have become. So very glad for this documentary. (I do suspect there were other issues, but fully support the autism theory.)

[robingrant]

This is one of the best documentary on Van Gogh! It was beautiful! It was insightful! Though he appeared to have many issues he was able to create such beauty despite going through so much pain! I love his work and read his letters to his brother! 👏🏾👏🏾

[inwonderland]

Beautiful and profoundly sad. Brilliant analysis and storytelling. As someone who lost their only sibling, also an artist, to mental illness, I burst into tears upon hearing of his death. Inevitable, a release, no surprise, but the way you let his life unfold, leading up to his demise, filled me with such sorrow. Thank you for your rich, layered, human analysis. I believe you did Vincent proud.

[Paretozen]

Tomorrow I'll be visiting the van Gogh museum. Tho I never was touched by his art, I am touched by him as a person. Having read some of his letters. And then this documentary.

Perhaps now I will look at his work differently. Always keeping in mind the period in which it was painted.

What a character. Living so intense. No human can endure that a lifetime.

[earth]

I have several Van Gogh’s paintings at home because his paintings bring me mental peace.

[alisturkericmacnanty]

This is one of the BEST overviews of Van Goghs life I have ever heard...it's a keeper!!! ❤

[vanessamedeiros]

When I got in Van Gogh ´s room at the Musee´Dorsay in Paris I was so moved it brought me to tears. A couple of years later I was lucky enough to take my granddaughters to see some of his paintings in Rio de Janeiro. I´ve loved Van Gogh since I was 16 and I read and watch anything that can bring more information about his brilliant works and sad life. Thank you for this worderful video !

[TaliaAdira]

I commented before completely watching the video. What a tragic life stemming from a misunderstanding that Vincent issues were not intellect but suffering from the ignorance of others. Vincent and Theo had each other- and that shows how much the good will of others makes a difference and makes a difference.

[RayR]

My heart always aches for Van Gogh. His suffering was considerable, his words to his brother beautiful and sad.

[TuckerSP]

Brilliant biography, very artistically done too! It definitely brought Vincent to life for me.

[mdaddy]

I'd say just about everyone with mental health issues feels some affinity with Van Gogh and the way he expressed his torment and struggles.
You do an excellent job exploring the man. Thank you!

[voyaristika]

Unlike other body organs the brain is so mysterious, it's functioning so elusive. Thankfully Theodore stayed by Vincent's side. It's all so sad. I really appreciate this synopsis of Van Gogh's life as I knew nothing of his story aside from the ear, of course. I hope you keep producing your videos. They're all so good.