Van Gogh: The Life
by Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith
Van Gogh: The Life by Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith holds a highly rated rating of 4.09 out of 5, based on 13.7K reader ratings. First published in 2011. The book spans 950 pages.
About Van Gogh: The Life
Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith galvanized readers with their astonishing Jackson Pollock: An American Saga, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for biography, a book acclaimed for its miraculous research and overwhelming narrative power. Now Naifeh and Smith have written another tour de force—an exquisitely detailed, compellingly readable, and ultimately heartbreaking portrait of creative genius Vincent van Gogh.Working with the full cooperation of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Naifeh and Smith have accessed a wealth of previously untapped materials. While drawing liberally from the artist’s famously eloquent letters, they have also delved into hundreds of unpublished family correspondences, illuminating with poignancy the wanderings of Van Gogh’s troubled, restless soul. Naifeh and Smith bring a crucial understanding to the larger-than-life mythology of this great artist—his early struggles to find his place in the world; his intense relationship with his brother Theo; his impetus for turning to brush and canvas; and his move to Provence, where in a brief burst of incandescent productivity he painted some of the best-loved works in Western art.The authors also shed new light on many unexplored aspects of Van Gogh’s inner world: his deep immersion in literature and art; his erratic and tumultuous romantic life; and his bouts of depression and mental illness.Though countless books have been written about Van Gogh, and though the broad outlines of his tragedy have long inhabited popular culture, no serious, ambitious examination of his life has been attempted in more than seventy years. Naifeh and Smith have re-created Van Gogh’s life with an astounding vividness and psychological acuity that bring a completely new and sympathetic understanding to this unique artistic genius whose signature images of sunflowers and starry nights have won a permanent place in the human imagination.868 pages of text, 953 pages with notes
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith |
| Published | 2011 |
| Pages | 950 |
| Kindle Price | $12.99 |
| Genres | Arts & Photography, Biography & Memoir, Non-Fiction, History, Biography & Memoir |
| Average Rating | 4.09 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 13,659 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Van Gogh: The Life?
Van Gogh: The Life is categorized as Arts & Photography, Biography & Memoir, Non-Fiction, History. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is Van Gogh: The Life worth reading?
Based on 13.7K reader ratings, Van Gogh: The Life has an average score of 4.09 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is Van Gogh: The Life?
Van Gogh: The Life has 950 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote Van Gogh: The Life?
Van Gogh: The Life was written by Steven Naifeh, Gregory White Smith. It was first published in 2011.
What is the ISBN for Van Gogh: The Life?
The ISBN-13 for Van Gogh: The Life is 9780375507490.0.
How much does Van Gogh: The Life cost on Kindle?
Van Gogh: The Life is available on Kindle for $12.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
