theo van gogh was the one who suggested that his older brother vincent start seriously painting. as soon as theo was gainfully employed he gave vincent around 15% of his own yearly salary for art supplies, lodging, and food. about 2/3rds of vincent’s surviving letters were to theo (including vincent’s earliest and last letters), all of which were found stored in theo’s desk. theo’s child, vincent willem, was born on january 31st, 1890, and vincent was so delighted by his nephew that he painted almond blossoms for him. vincent shot himself half a year later on july 29th, 1890. theo’s distress at his brother’s death worsened his syphilis symptoms and he died half a year after his brother on january 25th, 1891 (four days before vincent willem’s first birthday). theo was reburied next to vincent in auvers-sur-oise at the request of theo’s wife johanna.
Almond Blossoms, 1890, Vincent van Gogh
And that love lived on Theo’s wife, Johanna, who was the one who pushed for the preservation of Vincent’s paintings. Johanna who made sure that her husband’s beloved brother would not be forgotten. Johanna who fought tooth and nail so that Theo and Vincent would never be forgotten. Johanna who carried the family legacy, who made sure that the works of Vincent would be kept in her possession. And then Vincent Willem, named for a uncle so loved, carried this legacy and founded the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam.
The van Gogh family history is deeply interwoven with love. It was the love of a brother that gave a young man the courage to paint and the resources to do so. It was the love of a woman for her husband and her husband’s beloved brother that made that story known. And it was the love of a nephew, who was so deeply loved even if for such a short time, that made it possible for the world to know Vincent van Gogh.
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