Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853 - 1890) was a Dutch Post-Impressionist Artist.  Some of his paintings are now among the world's best known, most popular and expensive works of art.  Initially, Van Gogh worked only with sombre colours, until he encountered Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism in Paris. He incorporated their brighter colours and style of painting into a uniquely recognizable style, which was fully developed during the time he spent at Arles, France. He produced more than 2,000 works, including around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches, during the last ten years of his life. Most of his best-known works were produced in the final two years of his life, during which time he suffered recurrent bouts of mental illness, which led to his suicide.

Vincent Van Gogh (1853 - 1890) shot himself on July 20, 1890. Although considered one of the world's most successful artists, tragically he died feeling a failure.

Dimensions: 73 × 92 cm

Competition ends: 31st July 09