Like many HSPs, Vincent van Gogh found admiration in the small things in life, as can be seen in his paintings such as “The Starry Night.”
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous painters of all time. Passionate, hardworking and prolific, he spent the last part of his tragic life pouring his emotions into art. When all else failed—her love life, multiple career paths, and financial stability—art gave her the true happiness she deserved and needed. In just over a decade, he created around 2,100 works of art; in fact, 40 percent of his work was created in France in the last two years of his life.
Like many other artists – including Frida Kahlo — Van Gogh is considered to be a highly sensitive person (HSP). I’ve been re-reading Irving Stone recently Lust for lifea biography of Van Gogh’s life from the age of 21 at an art dealer to a passionate artist in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. The first time I read the gripping novel, I connected with its methods feeling deeply – as he unabashedly felt joy, melancholy, passion and anger. It was only recently that I had the idea that Van Gogh must have been very sensitive like me. He even cut short his return to Paris after a few days— external stimuli (such as noise and activity) were too much.
I listened to it recently Cover of “Vincent” by Lianne La Havas (used in the script of the 2017 film Loving Vincent), originally written and performed by Don Mclean. In the comments section, one commenter wondered how many other HSPs are like Van Gogh – misunderstooddeeply empathetic souls who may not be remembered as he was.
However, regardless of whether Van Gogh was highly sensitive or not, his life and philosophy can be useful for many HSPs. Here’s how.
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5 Powerful Inspirations HSPs Can Take From Vincent van Gogh
1. He saw beauty in the most unlikely places.
Many of Van Gogh’s first works were about poor peasants. Sketched pictures of ordinary people living their lives – eating, working, sitting. Even when he got the chance to draw other things, he returned to his roots. (In the writings about him, he explained that he feels most comfortable there.)
He didn’t care to draw rich and luxurious people – he saw no character in them. He saw beauty in what was not considered extraordinary. He drew nature, sky and food. These are among his most recognized works today. As an HSP I’m sure you can relate to find beauty in small things.
2. He never stopped caring for others, even when he needed kindness himself.
Before settling down to become a painter, Van Gogh worked as a priest. He preached the word of God to the miners of the Borinage. He also submitted to their poor lifestyle, giving the rest of his clothes and his mattress to the needy. He also ate only as much as the miners, although he suffered from fever, illness and weight loss.
When he moved to The Hague soon after, he took in a lonely prostitute, Christine. On its transparent grim appearance and fell in love with the beauty of her soul. Although the marriage didn’t last due to financial problems, Christine loved Christine for who she was, which others probably didn’t see. We can assume that he used his intuition – an HSP trait – when he followed his heart in pursuing a relationship.
3. He never backed down from a challenge.
Van Gogh’s artistic ability was not easy for him. The lines he drew were clumsy, the layout of his models was wrong, and his figures were mocked and criticized. He was told many times that he was not a good artist.
But instead of giving up and thinking he would never succeed, he asked endless questions to figure out how to improve his work. (Sound familiar, HSPs? Many of us are curious following our real purpose in life.)
And even when his teachers turned him away from him, he found others to help him. He worked for hours every single day, from five in the morning until sunset. He continued even when he didn’t believe in himself – because art was what gave him the greatest joy.
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4. He turned his pain into something beautiful.
You have probably heard about the pain and tragedy that Van Gogh had to endure. For example, for many years he lived only on dry bread and coffee (and sometimes on nothing). In addition, many of the women he loved either rejected or eventually left him. His parents, although kind and loving to their son, did not understand why their son wanted to be an artist and were not willing to be enthusiastic supporters of his work.
Van Gogh’s only family fan seemed to be his brother Theo, who gave him a monthly allowance to survive and produce more art. Van Gogh often emphasized that he was a lonely soul, which he tried to portray in his works. He also struggled with mental illness, suffering from insomnia and severe depressive episodes.
I think many of us HSPs can relate to turning hardship into something beautiful, even expressing it through art, writing, musicor what about you.
5. His sensitivity made him who he was.
Without Van Gogh’s sensitivity, such works as “Starry Night” (1889) and “Almond Blossoms” (1890) would not have been created. In a letter to his brother, Van Gogh reflected that he wanted the viewers of his art to know his heart, to know that he felt “deeply and tenderly.”
Like many HSPs, he deeply appreciated the beauty of nature. He felt that the natural world gave him ideas to cover the canvases. He spent hours every day sketching outside, regardless of the weather. Violent storms didn’t deter his productivity – he loved it and it only encouraged him to do more.
In essence, it was the giver’s heart that enabled him to give to others even when he had little of anything himself. His goal as an artist was to heal others as well as himself.
Gifts of great sensitivity
Van Gogh is mentioned and appreciated as one of the most important elements of modern art. He is considered one of the most influential painters in the entire world. But he rarely sold his paintings in his lifetime – people spoke harshly of him and shouted obscenities at his windows. A petition even aimed to evict him from the city.
He was often misunderstood because of his unique way of expressing himself. (I know I can relate, and I’m sure other HSPs can too.) The genius of his sensitive mind is evident in his paintings, which are now some of the most famous and expensive works of art in the world.
All in all, Van Gogh teaches us to be ourselves and express ourselves as loudly, violently and chaotically as we feel like we can really get our point across. He never renounced the goodness of men and humanity; even after being bullied and tortured by people for most of his life, his heart never changed. Even when the world told him to calm down—and mocked him for his eccentricity—he didn’t change. It made him great, it made him who he was. It was unique and different – and that is one of the reasons why it is still remembered today.
So, my fellow HSPs, don’t change. Stay as you are and fill this world with your beautiful light. They will remember you too.
