New Book Reexamines Van Gogh's Transformative Paris Years
A Fire in His Soul, authored by Miles J. Unger and released by Pegasus Books in March 2025, delves into Vincent van Gogh's impactful years in Paris. The narrative explores the artist's two-year residency and the events that influenced his relocation. Utilizing Van Gogh's letters, compiled by Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, Unger presents the argument that the avant-garde environment of Paris enabled Van Gogh to express ideas he otherwise could not. The book also dispels the myth of Van Gogh as a misunderstood recluse and examines his complex relationship with his brother Theo, alongside the troubling portrayal by critic Albert Aurier just months before Van Gogh's passing.
Key facts
- A Fire in His Soul by Miles J. Unger was published by Pegasus Books in March 2025.
- The book focuses on Van Gogh's two years in Paris and the circumstances leading to his move there.
- Van Gogh's letters, published by Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, are a primary source for the book.
- Unger argues that Paris and the avant-garde provided Van Gogh with the means to convey ideas he could not realize alone.
- The book challenges the romanticized image of Van Gogh as solitary and misunderstood.
- Van Gogh's relationship with his brother Theo was fraught with tension despite their closeness.
- Critic Albert Aurier portrayed Van Gogh as a 'saintly hermit' in an article six months before Van Gogh's death.
- Van Gogh was shocked and distressed by Aurier's portrayal, which hinted at mental illness.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Miles J. Unger
- Johanna van Gogh-Bonger
- Theo van Gogh
- John Peter Russell
- Emile Bernard
- Albert Aurier
Institutions
- Van Gogh Museum
- Pegasus Books
- Simon & Schuster
- Groningen Museum
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Groningen
- Asnières
- Nuenen