Vincent van Gogh

7 5.1

A Dutch painter known for bright colours and strong brush strokes

proper noun
/ˈvɪnsənt væn ɡoʊ/

: Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh is celebrated for his iconic painting, Vincent van Gogh's 'Starry Night.'

Examples

The intense colors and swirling patterns are hallmarks of Vincent van Gogh's artistic style.
Vincent van Gogh is best known for iconic works such as 'Starry Night' and 'Sunflowers'.
Many art historians consider Vincent van Gogh one of the most influential painters of the 19th century.
Many consider Vincent van Gogh a genius.
Did Vincent van Gogh really cut off his ear?
Many art historians consider Vincent van Gogh to be a pivotal figure in the development of modern art.
The emotional depth found in Vincent van Gogh's works has inspired countless artists around the world.

Synonyms

van Gogh

vsVincent van Gogh

43 5.9

A Dutch painter from the 1800s famous for bright colors and bold brushstrokes

uses the full personal name rather than the family name

Surface Forms

Vincent van Gogh main

Morphology

Vincent + van + Gogh

This is a proper name: knowing the parts 'Vincent', 'van', and 'Gogh' does not allow a learner to infer the referent or the biographical meaning (that he is a famous Dutch Post‑Impressionist painter). While 'van' can hint at a Dutch name particle, that alone does not yield the specific identity or role, so the meaning is not derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch painter from the 1800s who used thick paint, bright colors, and swirling brush strokes in pictures like 'Starry Night' and 'Sunflowers'. Because people also remember his hard life and the story that he cut off part of his ear, his name now brings to mind that famous, emotional style of painting.