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Rated 5 out of 5 by NancyJ the professor from Exquisite Story Telling I had intended to cover one lesson per evening as I have done with other courses. However, I so enjoyed these lessons that I found myself viewing several each night. The comparison of Van Gogh's work with the actual locations in which they were completed creates a powerful picture of Van Gogh's life, and approach to his work. Underscored by the reading of his letters to his brother, Theo, they demonstrated Van Gogh's thought process and state of mind at the time of each of his works. The uniqueness of Van Gogh's work is clearly illustrated, supporting both why his work was unappreciated at the time it was created, as well as why he is now one of the most recognized and revered artists of his time. The course is carefully and professionally prepared in terms of video of the the various settings that Van Gogh painted, the paintings themselves, and the narrator discussing the sites and paintings. They all blend together to create a thorough compilation that tells Van Gogh's story beautifully and understandably. I would rate this course as the best one I have viewed out of the 10-12 I have seen so far. Thank you for this great course.

Date published: 2023-04-02

Rated 5 out of 5 by JPM54 from Informative and educational I thoroughly enjoyed this video. The lectures are clear and nicely narrated. The course encompasses discussions of other van Gogh's contemporary painters thus adding value to the lectures. I think the course is totally worthwhile and recommendable.

Date published: 2023-03-29

Rated 1 out of 5 by billy doodoo from boring very dull and boring and i was very unsatistfied very

Date published: 2023-03-15

Rated 5 out of 5 by BGZredix from Fascinating If Brief Overview This is an outstanding, if too brief, overview not only of Van Gogh's life and painting, but also of the art world surrounding him, including relevant treatment of the times before and after his life. The professor is superb. And the visuals, as one would expect, are plentiful. Highly recommended.

Date published: 2023-02-27

Rated 5 out of 5 by Va Couple from Beautiful combination of art, culture and history This is the best Great Course we have viewed. Its combination of excellent scholarly narrative, marvelous visual settings, well-chosen musical accompaniments and the brilliant display of 100's of Van Gogh works offers any viewer deep understanding of this artist and his times.

Date published: 2023-02-26

Rated 5 out of 5 by Tiger from Must-see documentary Loved it. Best documentary I've seen in a while. Well written.

Date published: 2023-02-18

Rated 5 out of 5 by anonymousbuthappycustomer from Outstanding, very well done This was very enjoyable to see all of Van Gogh's paintings and to understand the evolution of his art through the years, where he lived and the cultural influences on his work

Date published: 2023-02-17

Rated 5 out of 5 by Gaius Gracchus from Fantastic I've been watching courses from this company for many years and this was one of the best I've seen so far. I watched 100% of the course and enjoyed every minute of it.

Date published: 2023-02-08

Overview

Discover the secrets behind the life and work of one of the most recognized, yet misunderstood, artists of the modern world, Vincent van Gogh. This 15-episode course by Professor Jean-Pierre Isbouts will take you on a fascinating journey as you unravel the mysteries of the artist's one-of-a-kind style. Along the way, you will gain fresh insight and a deepened appreciation for the undeniable genius behind a troubled but brilliant artist.

About

Jean-Pierre Isbouts

ALMA MATER

Leiden University

INSTITUTION

Fielding Graduate University

Jean-Pierre Isbouts is a historian, biblical scholar, and best-selling National Geographic author. After earning his DLitt at Leiden University, he served as a member of the doctoral faculty at Fielding Graduate University for more than 15 years and now holds the title of Faculty Emeritus. He gained worldwide renown with his National Geographic book The Biblical World and also wrote Archaeology of the Bible, In the Footsteps of Jesus, and Young Jesus. His course The History and Archaeology of the Bible is one of Wondrium’s most popular.

By This Professor

The History and Archaeology of the Bible

Trailer

01: The World of Vincent van Gogh

Begin by tying together several fascinating facts about Van Gogh’s life, which then propel you to ask questions that lead to the uncovering of mysteries: Which parts of his life influenced his unique work—now worth hundreds of millions on the art market—and what drove him to a desperate act in the end?

21 min

02: Early Years in Brabant

Take a journey through Vincent’s younger years as Jean-Pierre shares a personal connection and details the events that marked Van Gogh and shaped his career. From learning French and English to taking his very first art class, Brabant and its landscapes leaves an indelible mark on the young Vincent.

22 min

03: The Turn toward Art

Discover how Van Gogh makes an abrupt turn in his life trajectory and moves from ministry and missionary work to a life in art, aided by two influential men in his family. You will also begin to understand how difficulties with his parents and scandals with women will affect him.

23 min

04: The Nuenen Period

What is it about the modest Protestant community of Nuenen that spurs Van Gogh to hit his stride in painting, and why does he leave his extensive body of work behind when he moves? This lecture dives into how the perceived richness and nobility of simple peasant life inspired the artist.

25 min

05: Vincent in Antwerp

In many ways, it is in Antwerp that Vincent begins the remarkable evolution that will ultimately make him one of the most important painters in modern art. Explore his journey at the Antwerp Academy, where he slowly sheds the darkness of Hague and begins to play with light and color.

18 min

06: The Paris Art Scene in the 1880s

Did you know how much the Impressionist movement in Paris depended on Vincent’s brother, Theo? Find out the truth behind Theo’s enormous influence in promoting and establishing the movement and bringing together the Impressionist artists of the day, with scenes from Jean-Pierre’s television drama Manet in Love.

24 min

07: Vincent and Theo in Paris

What would you do if a difficult relative dropped in without warning and announced they would be living with you from now on? Learn how Theo manages the situation when Vincent arrives in Paris, and revel in the way that Vincent inhales the wonderful new movements of Montmartre.

22 min

08: Vincent and the Post-Impressionists

By the 1880s, the Impressionists have slowly begun to drift apart after the deaths of Frédéric Bazille and Édouard Manet. Follow Vincent’s journey as he immerses himself in the artist life and absorbs all he can from the artists around him in friendship and work, such as Seurat, Bernard, Gauguin, and Toulouse-Lautrec.

24 min

09: The Spring of Provence

Having exhausted all he could learn in Paris, Vincent travels to what he refers to as “his Japan,” or Arles, France—living in his famed “Yellow House.” It is here that he begins to move beyond Impressionism and matures into his own style. Although his Yellow House was destroyed in World War II, modern 3-D animation shows us what it looked like.

20 min

10: Vincent’s Classical Period

As he settles down in Arles and opens himself to the power of bold, primary colors to evoke emotion, Vincent begins to feel the need for the companionship he had in Paris. Which of his artist friends will eventually agree to move to Arles and live with him in his Yellow House?

20 min

11: The Studio of the South

Perhaps the most well-known fact about Vincent’s troubled life is that he cuts his ear. Dive into the horrifying story of what it is that inspires him to do something so drastic, and how the people around him respond to the crisis—culminating in the loss of his beloved Yellow House.

22 min

12: The Asylum at Saint-Rémy

Confined to an asylum, Van Goh enters a dark period of illness—yet it is out of this place that he draws inspiration to create his best-known masterpiece, The Starry Night. Listen as Professor Isbouts describes his research on what diagnoses were likely behind Vincent’s “insanity.”

23 min

13: The Art World in 1890

While Vincent is sequestered away at the asylum at Saint-Remy, the art world is moving on. Amazingly, Vincent is gaining growing recognition among art critics, with works shown at an annual exhibition in Brussels. But is Paris ready for him when he returns to meet Theo and Johanna’s newborn baby?

20 min

14: Vincent in Auvers-sur-Oise

In this lovely village along the Oise River, Vincent creates what is arguably his most developed and integrated work, including two portraits of his friend, Paul Gachet. However, always brewing underneath is the guilt, torment, and loneliness that will eventually drive him to his final day.

24 min

15: An End and a Beginning

There are several theories surrounding Vincent’s death, including one featuring a boy in a Buffalo Bill costume. In this episode, we experience Vincent’s last hours. We then follow the amazing arc that will lift Vincent from obscurity to the worldwide fame he enjoys today.

32 min