Vincent Van Gogh 9. The Sadness Will Last Forever

Thanks to his brother Theo, an exhibition of Vincent Van Gogh's work was held. For the first time, critics praised his paintings. Vincent, who had only ever received no reviews or bad ones, found it hard to believe that his work was finally being appreciated. He wanted to rush to the exhibition, but...

Vincent couldn't leave the asylum. His seizures had worsened, making it impossible for him to go. Unable to bear the conditions at the Saint-Rémy asylum, Vincent returned to Paris at Theo’s urging. However, his troubled past in the city and his financial disputes with his brother made it unbearable for him to stay. So, he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, a small town outside Paris.

The church at Auvers (1890)

In Auvers, Vincent sought help from Dr. Paul Gachet, a physician and painter who had been friends with Paul Cézanne. But Gachet couldn't cure Vincent's deepening mental troubles.

Dr. Paul Gachet (1890)

Whenever Vincent returned to a clearer state of mind, he would paint relentlessly. He sent many completed works to his brother Theo, often accompanied by letters. These letters were filled with a mixture of hope for his paintings to gain recognition and deep guilt towards his brother. 

Prisoners exercising (1890)

Undergrowth with two figures (1890)

Rowing boats on the banks of the Oise (1890)

Noon, rest from work (1890)

He frequently expressed how difficult it was for him to keep going. His mental pressure, physical pain, sorrow over his lack of success, regret towards his life, and despair are palpable in his later works.

Old man in sorrow (on the threshold of eternity) 1890

In July 1890, the Paris region was in the midst of the wheat harvest, with endless fields of golden grain. Vincent painted one of his final works—*Wheatfield with Crows*, a landscape of vast wheat fields under a sky filled with crows. The painting feels imbued with loneliness and sorrow.

Wheatfield with crows (1890)

On July 27, 1890, Vincent Van Gogh pointed a revolver at his chest and pulled the trigger.

Upon hearing the news, Theo rushed to his brother’s side. Vincent initially seemed to rally, but the bullet, which couldn't be removed, led to worsening infection and pain. In the early morning of July 29, 1890, Vincent Van Gogh succumbed to the infection and passed away.

Vincent Van Gogh, whose entire life was steeped in sadness, left behind his final words:

"The sadness will last forever."

Vincent Van Gogh was buried in the municipal cemetery in Auvers-sur-Oise.

Did Vincent’s suicide lead to Theo's own decline? After his brother’s death, Theo’s health rapidly deteriorated. He passed away soon after, in Den Dolder, Netherlands, from illness.

In 1914, Theo’s remains were moved to rest beside his brother, Vincent, in the Auvers-sur-Oise cemetery.