The Real Van Gogh at the Royal Academy of Arts - The letters of Vincent Van Gogh

The Real Van Gogh: The artist and his letters comes to the Royal Academy of Arts, London

For anyone that hasn’t been lucky enough to see any of his work, it is set to grace the Royal Academy of Arts in London later this month. The Real Van Gogh: The artist and his letters will feature 35 of his letters along with works including Portrait as an Artist (1888) and The Yellow House (1888) courtesy of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. It will run from 23 January-18 April 2010.

It’s easy to understand why Vincent Van Gogh has become such an art icon. Apart from creating some of the finest paintings in the history of man, he is also one of the most interesting characters to grace the world with a supreme talent. Sadly maligned with depression and mental illness, often living in extreme poverty to afford materials and little appreciated during his life, Van Gogh was a true artist.

He also wrote often, in particular to family members like his brother Theo and his sister Wilhelmina, as well as to artists like Emile Bernard and Paul Gauguin. Going into detail about his inspirations and thoughts, the letters give us an insight into his life that can be easily overshadowed by his fou roux reputation.

Everything about his life is interesting, often sad, but never dull. Luckily for us the sadness will live forever in his paintings and now in his letters.