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Van Gogh and Bipolar Disorder


"Vincent van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, in Groot-Zundert, Netherlands. Van Gogh was a post-impressionist painter whose work, notable for its beauty, emotion and color, highly influenced 20th century art. He struggled with mental illness, and remained poor and virtually unknown throughout his life." 1



His art helped him stay emotionally balanced because as he was painting some of the most celebrated and influential art, Van Gogh was dealing with mental illness: depression, anxiety and, according to some accounts, the symptoms of bipolar disorder — which would eventually drive him to commit suicide shortly after his 37th birthday.


In his art, besides of the influence of God because of his minister father, it can be seen that the artist has some serious mood changes. That is the conclusion of his mental illness, bipolar disorder; this condition is known as madnessand  has a long and complex history. For centuries the condition has been the subject of poets, painters, philosophers, and physicians. "Bipolar disorder, with its extreme mood swings from depression to mania, used to be called manic depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder is very serious and can cause risky behavior, even suicidal tendencies, and can be treated with therapy and medication.


There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes." 2




  • What is intersting to me is that he accepted his "madness" and showed this by saying "Normality is a paved road. It's comfortable to walk but no flower grew on it." in his letters that he sent to his brother. But also he was just a tired man and said "I wish they would only take me as i am." Maybe beacuse of the voices, visions, or being "mad"... But at the age of 37, he shot himself to death.


  • But If he didn't have these conditions, there would be no Starry Night. Yes, maybe he wouldn't chop his own ears but maybe he wouldn't be able to create all of these masterpieces. Maybe he saw the world in a different perspective that none of us could. Maybe the fac that no one tried to understand him -or no one was even able to do it so- he ended his own life. But if there is something that he was very proud and fond of; that would be his art. He has never backed down from it. So should the people who are suffer from this disorder.
  • One thing we shoud totally remember is that looking good is not the purpose of art. Art is there to mae you feel something. Relieved, happy, angry, sad, provoced... Anything. But a great artist died because no one was able to understand. So in order to treat this illness, we should try to see the world in their eyes. That's what art is for. To make you see the world through somebody elses head. Or somebody elses "madness."
1- http://www.biography.com/people/vincent-van-gogh-9515695
2- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

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