The Van Gogh Sisters
by Willem-Jan Verlinden
We've heard much about the crucial role that Theo van Gogh played in the life of his brother, Vincent. But Vincent also had three sisters who were a big influence on him. In fact, it was an argument with his eldest sister, Anna, that was the reason he left the Netherlands. This is their story.
“Heiligman’s book is a multi-layered work of cultural history. It is a tightly wound story of two brothers, one of whom goes on to become one of the most famous impressionist painters and the other a seller of paintings. Both Van Gogh brothers played a central role in the history of late 19th-century art and ended up dying tragically, within months of one another. t gives the reader a feel for Western Europe in the 1870s and 1880s, for the countryside and vibrant art scene that inspired the brothers. It builds into a full biography of Van Gogh and his cohort. History is not at the center of the book; it’s the wings for the story.” Read more...
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Marc Favreau, Publisher
“Van Gogh obviously felt so comforted and loved by his brother. His letters are amazing, and he says everything that he’s trying to do in his art, and what he thought about other painters; what he thought about the technical process and the practicalities of that, and then all his feelings and hopes and loneliness and struggles. It’s just a very brilliant example of somebody having someone in their lives they can communicate with.” Read more...
Will Hobson, Translator
