The assertion that the outstanding post -impressionist during his lifetime was able to realize only one of his canvas has long become a common place. We checked whether this is really so.

A lot of films have been shot about the short life of Vincent Van Gogh and hundreds of books were written. The famous artist became the symbol of the artist who did not manage to realize, because, as some say, contemporaries did not realize his greatness. Others see the problem in the complex character of the Dutchman himself. One way or another, but the phrase “Van Gogh during his lifetime has sold only one picture” has long been used in everyday life as a universal argument. Psychologists do not disdain it either. So, this example opens one of the chapters of the monograph "Personal potential: structure and diagnosis".

Most often as the same only sold picture called The canvas "Red Vineyards in Arle", created in 1888. In 1890, after the picture was presented at an exhibition in Brussels, the Belgian artist Anna Bosch acquired it for 350 (in other sources - 400) Belgian francs. Today the picture is possible see In the Moscow Museum of Fine Arts named after A. S. Pushkin.

However, this was far from the only commercial success of the artist. On the website of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam They found it difficult Call the exact number of works sold by Vincent. However, according to the site, his uncle Kor, who ordered the nephew, was the first client in the life of the post -impressionist, a series of 19 Hague landscapes. Further, without specifying the name, another picture sold by the Parisian art dealer Julien Tanga is mentioned.

The archive preserved Vincent's letter to his brother Theo of February 18, 1882, in which he Writesthat a certain art dealer Terstig bought a small drawing from him for 10 guilders. “The first sheep went through the bridge,” Winsent notes on this occasion.

In addition, in a letter dated October 3, 1888, the Theo has now addressed the London art dealers Sally and Lori: “We have the honor to report that we sent you two paintings bought and paid by you: the landscape of Camille Koro and the self-portrait of Van Gogh.” However, some art historians are inclined countthat the letter has the wrong date and it was sent after the death of Vincent Van Gogh.

In a number of sources It is saidthat out of more than 900 paintings by the artist sold, according to documents, there were at least 14 paintings. However, this version does not find confirmation in the form of notorious documents. More or less reliable can be considered information about the sale of two or three paintings by the artist during life. However, this is enough to consider the legend of the only sold work partially incorrect.