Review: LUST FOR LIFE

A novel of Vincent Van Gogh
By Irving Stone.
Illustrated with 150 reproductions of Vincent Van Gogh's
paintings, arranged by J.B. Newman.
Copyright 1934 by Irving Stone.
Copyright 1937 by The Heritage Club.
Printed in the United States of America.

To begin with the book is bound in a reproduction of a
Van Gogh painting that depicts a rich farmland--so very
Vincent.
Vincent Van Gogh led a hard working, driven life. He dirtied
his hands with miners and farmers and drew and painted them
as he self-educated himself in his art.
Vincent was supported by his younger brother, Theo who was
an art dealer and who believed fiercely in his brother Vincent.
Theo supported Vincent for several years so that Vincent could
concentrate solely on his art.
Vincent was a man of great conscience and felt guilty taking
money from Theo on a wish and a promise. Despite giving
Theo all his work to sell, Vincent never felt worthy.
As Irving depicted and history reflects, Vincent dressed like a
bum, was unkempt and had frequent bouts of starvation to the
point of fever and illness. Still he was so driven, he produced
a painting every day.
After Vincent failed to become a minister like his father, Theo
 talked him into moving to Paris to live with him. There Vincent
met Gauguin, Seurat, Cezanne, Lautrec and many other
 "Impressionist" artists.
With  a new artistic vision, Vincent moved to Arles where there was
so much sunshine, yellow entered his art. (Little did he know that
"Sunflowers" would one day sell for $88 million dollars at auction.)
Vincent's final destination was Auvers, where he welcomed Gauguin,
so they could paint together. Arguments ensued and Gauguin left.
Vincent, desconsolate eventually went mad. He died a prolonged death
from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Theo held him in his arms and
promised to create a gallery of Vincent's art.
Unfortunately, Theo died six months after Vincent. Thanks to Theo's
widow, the brothers were buried side by side in Auvers.
 Sunflowers grace both graves.
This Irving Stone book was labeled a novel because Stone had to
fill in some blanks to make the story. However, his main source
was 700 letters that Vincent wrote to Theo during these crucial
years. It could have well been Vincent's memoir. Great read and
even greater illustrations.
I highly recommend it.

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