Vincent van Gogh: The Maturing of an Artist (1886)

By Lida Prypchan
Living with his brother, Theo, in Paris beginning March 1886, Vincent van Gogh seemed to have a positive effect on Vincent’s work. Perhaps this was because, in Paris, he was exposed to artists on a professional, rather than a student, level. Although Vincent still had little respect for art that he...

The Oedipus Complex and Emotional Instability

By Lida Prypchan
“KNOW THYSELF” In 1897 Freud began what can be considered the most heroic act of his life – the psychoanalysis of his own unconscious. The ancient oracle of Delphi had from ancient times encouraged philosophers and thinking persons to pursue the maxim “Know thyself,” but unconsciously resisting,...

Vincent van Gogh: A Dark World

By Lida Prypchan
For the majority of his life, Vincent’s life and wanderings were financed largely by his family, especially Theo. However, while he was in The Hague, Vincent did sell two sets of drawings – a total of 19 drawings – of town landscape sketches to his uncle Vincent. Unlike the bulk of his later...

Vincent van Gogh: Breakthrough (1887)

By Lida Prypchan
The year 1887 seems to have been a banner year for Vincent van Gogh. That spring, after moving from his brother, Theo’s, apartment to his own room in Asnieres, Paris, Vincent became acquainted with French neo-impressionist painter, Paul Victor Jules Signac. Signac developed the pointillist style of...