On the Verge of Insanity ─ Van Gogh and His Illness

Vincent van Gogh’s mental state, “ear incident,” time in a psychiatric hospital, and suicide by revolver have been a perennial source of discussion since his death. They played a significant role in creating the myth around the artist—was he mentally ill or genius? What was the precise nature of Van Gogh’s illness? Did it influence his work?
 
The artist’s troubled life still fascinates us, and this intriguing publication examines how Van Gogh’s mental condition revealed itself in 1888 and how he struggled with it throughout his life. Van Gogh’s letters to his brother Theo, his artist friends, and his sister Willemien reveal the extent to which his dedication to his artwork was the reason he did not give up. Richly illustrated with art works, letters, historical documents and photographs,On the Verge of Insanity provides a nuanced and considered overview of an extraordinary man who had to cope with mental illness at a time when the symptoms were readily misunderstood and professional treatment was insufficient. The authors also offer a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the artist’s death in Auvers-sur-Oise, and they review the many diagnoses that have been proposed since Van Gogh’s death.

Louis van Tilborgh is senior researcher at the Van Gogh Museum and professor of art history, University of Amsterdam.Nienke Bakker is curator of Van Gogh Paintings, Teio Meedendorp is senior researcher, andLaura Prins is assistant researcher, all at the Van Gogh Museum.