Vincent's Books

Vincent's Books by Mariella Guzzoni explores the profound passion Vincent van Gogh had for books, alongside his well-known devotion to God and art. Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was famously driven by these passions, and this book examines his life with books, chapter by chapter.

From his early adulthood, when he contemplated becoming a pastor, to his eventual decision to pursue painting, and right until the end of his life, Vincent was deeply influenced by the ideas he found in books. His journey took him from Holland to Paris and finally to Provence, with books continually shaping his thoughts and guiding his life. His letters to his brother mention at least 200 different authors. Books and readers often featured as subjects in his paintings, whether depicted dreaming or deeply absorbed in reading.

Vincent immersed himself not only in fiction but also in art through detailed descriptions and illustrations found in monographs, biographies, and museum guides. He stayed current with the latest literary and artistic magazines. This thought-provoking and original study takes readers on an artistic-literary journey through Vincent's discoveries, his favourite authors, and best-loved books. It reveals a continuous dialogue between his own work and the artists and authors who inspired him, reflecting his belief that 'Books and reality and art are the same kind of thing for me.'