Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade, he created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings. His work is characterized by bold colors and dramatic, impulsive, and expressive brushwork that contributed to the foundations of modern art. Van Gogh struggled with mental illness throughout his life and remained largely unsuccessful and unknown until after his death. Many of his most famous works, including 'The Starry Night' and his 'Sunflowers' series, were produced during his time in Arles and Saint-Rémy in southern France. His voluminous correspondence with his brother Theo provides deep insight into his creative process and his view of art as a means of providing comfort to humanity. Today, his paintings are among the most expensive and sought-after in the world.