Vincent

(Paperback)

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Description

This graphic biography documents the brief and intense period of creativity Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) spent in Arles, Provence, in southern France. Here van Gogh dreams of setting up an artists' studio - a haven where he and his friends can paint together. But attacks of mental illness leave the painter confused and disoriented. When his friend and fellow artist Paul Gauguin refuses to reside permanently at the Yellow House, a distraught van Gogh cuts off part of his own ear. Throughout this period of intense emotion and hardship, Vincent's brother Theo stands by him, offering constant and unconditional support. Writer and illustrator Barbara Stok breathes riveting new life into a fascinating episode of art history, creating a vivid portrait of one of the world's most beloved and legendary artists. Praise for Vincent: "Stylistically, Stok is almost faultless... [Vincent] leaves us aware of a small breath of fresh air blown into the world of art history" The Times Literary Supplement "Stok does a brilliant, sympathetic job of picturing the artist, whether jagged with madness or sitting amid the wheat fields and sunflowers of Arles" The Guardian

Reviews

"Ms. Stok's story of Van Gogh goes to dark places, following the artist's obsessive work ethic and manic outbursts into a clear psychotic episode."--New York Observer
"Stok has drawn an emotional, informative, and inspirational biography for artists and art lovers everywhere. Fantastic."--Library Journal online (starred review)
"This inventive art biography eschews the usual visual cliches and brings its subject into a sharp and sympathetic focus."--Publishers Weekly
"While approximating Van Gogh, she sticks to her own elemental, comic strip-like style that suggests both a simplified Tintin and a more complicated Peanuts."--Booklist

Author Bio

Barbara Stok is well known for her candid autobiographical graphic novels. She was awarded the 2009 Stripschapprijs for her body of comic-book work. In addition to writing for newspapers and magazines, Stok has authored eight books. She lives in the Netherlands.