Van Gogh’s Most Famous Paintings: 8 Iconic Masterpieces Explained

From Starry Night to The Potato Eaters – learn about the iconic masterpieces that make Van Gogh a household name.

When you think of Vincent Van Gogh, most likely a specific piece of artwork comes to mind. Whether it be The Starry Night, Vase with Sunflowers, or a self-portrait. We all have a different painting in mind that we believe is his most “famous”. Here are 8 of his most famous paintings, according to experts.

The Starry Night

Almost everyone is familiar with The Starry Night as it’s widely considered Van Gogh’s most famous painting. He painted it in 1889, just one year before his passing. It depicts swirling skies filled with stars and the moon, overlooking Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. To say that these iconic brushstrokes have shaped modern artists and pop culture would be an understatement.

Self-portrait

While Van Gogh has painted his fair share of self-portraits, this one is one of the most well-known and used images to depict Van Gogh. It was also painted in 1889 and may have been his last self-portrait.

Café Terrace at night

Painted in 1888, Café Terrace at Night is one of Van Gogh’s unsigned paintings. It is known to be his by the painting style, date, and how Vincent described the painting to his brother Theo in his letters.

Vase with Sunflowers

Van Gogh painted a series of Sunflower images; however, this iconic painting stands out from the rest. The series was painted during the two years that he lived with his brother Theo in Paris from 1886-1888. There are a few different versions of this specific sunflower painting, using different backgrounds and vase colors.

Almond Blossoms

The Almond Blossoms is another series of paintings created from 1888-1890. It depicts the sprawling Almond Blossom branches in southern France that were special to Vincent. They represent hope and awakening. Today they can be found as wallpaper and prints if your home needs some hope and awakening!

The Potato Eaters

The Potato Eaters is an earlier Van Gogh piece, painted in 1885. Vincent wanted to depict “folk, who are eating their potatoes by the light of their little lamp, have tilled the earth themselves with these hands they are putting in the dish, and so it speaks of manual labor and–that they have thus honestly earned their food.”

Though criticized at the time, Vincent maintained that it was “The best thing I did”.

Wheatfield with crows

Wheatfield with Crows is widely speculated to be Van Gogh’s last painting as it was painted during the last week of his life. It depicts turbulent skies above a sprawling wheatfield. Van Gogh talked about this painting in a letter to his brother Theo, expressing sadness and extreme loneliness. These feelings are represented on the canvas.

The Bedroom at Arles

This painting is often regarded as one of Van Gogh’s most impactful works. Its simple depiction of a bedroom in Arles provides a glimpse into his artistic and emotional journey. There are 3 versions of this painting, distinguishable by the pictures on the right wall of the image. The different versions exist because he first one was slightly damaged by a flood, and after that, he decided to redo some of his favorite pieces in smaller sizes to send to his mother and sister.

Learn more about Van Gogh’s life here.

Of all these 8 iconic paintings Van Gogh has done, which one stands out to you the most?

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