This film is a fictionalized portrayal of the life of Van Gogh, a
magnificent but troubled artist. It explores his character of Vincent Van
Gogh (1853-1890) who was one of the great artists of the Nineteenth
Century. His original intention was to become an evangelist, but he failed
at that, and turned to painting. He had mental difficulties, at one point
cutting off one of his ears. Van Gogh eventually committed suicide. We
see many of Van Gogh's well-known paintings and the actual events which
led to their being painted. The film is a good study of the impressionists
and post impressionists.

1) The plots of most films turn on one or more ethical choices which must be
    made by the characters in the movie.  Consider the characters of Vincent, his
    brother, Theo, and Paul Gauguin.   Which of The Six Pillars of Character,
    apply to these three characters?

2) Van Gogh wanted to express how physical objects, scenes and people made
    him feel. To do this, he used vivid colors and broad brush strokes to reveal
   form and emotion.  Using the The Van Gogh Museum Virtual Tour select two of
    his paintings and interpret what you see and feel when viewing the picture.

3) "Starry Night" is the painting of a night sky over a village in Southern France.
    Van Gogh used strong colors and brush strokes so thick that the paint stands
    out and becomes a three-dimensional addition to the painting.  Van Gogh wrote
    to his brother "The sight of stars makes me dream."  How would you interpret
    his "dream" as illustrated in "Starry Night?"  Refer to specific details in the
    painting.

4) Van Gogh has been classified by art historians as a "post impressionist."  The
    Impressionists tried to depict scenes naturalistically. The Post Impressionists
    painted subjectively, communicating how the scene made them feel.  How did
    Paul Gauguin, his close friend see Vincent's work?

5) Van Gogh sold exactly one painting while he was alive and lived off the charity
    of his brother.   Now his paintings sell for millions.  What did Vincent's brother
    get for his efforts to help Vincent?  You may need to search the WWW for
    help in answering this question.

6) What did Vincent's brother, Theo, do for a living in Paris?  How was he able
    to help Vincent in ways other than finances?

7) When Van Gogh was living in the South of France,  Paul Gauguin, came to live
     with him for a time. How did this arrangement work out for each of the artists?

8) What do you think Van Gogh meant when he wrote: "Painting is a faith and it
    imposes the duty to disregard public opinion.  In painting, one conquers by
    perseverance and not by making concessions."

9) Why was Van Gogh able to sell only one painting during his lifetime?

10) What do you think Van Gogh meant when he wrote, "One of the most beautiful
     things to do is to paint darkness which nevertheless has light in it."  Which
     paintings do you think he was he referring to?  Use the The Van Gogh Museum
     Virtual Tour to help you answer this part of the question.

11) Van Gogh believed that painting had the power to raise thoughts about life in
     people's minds?  Do you agree?  Explain thoroughly.

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