Cultural depictions of Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh has — through his work, his letters, and his life — inspired many other artists in various media.

In the beginning, there was only his work to inspire others.

Then, bit by bit, information on his life and the conditions under which he worked became transparent.

Finally, in 1914, the correspondence with his brother Theo was published.

The following lists are classified according to media, and arranged chronolically.

[edit] Literature

The artist's life forms the basis for Irving Stone's biographical novel Lust for Life. .

In 1972, singer Don McLean wrote the ballad Vincent in honor of Van Gogh; also known by its opening words, "Starry Starry Night," the song refers to the painting The Starry Night.
McLean's song was also sung by Josh Groban in 2002, and the punk band NOFX did a version on a rarities and b-sides double album.
In 1986-87, the composer Einojuhani Rautavaara wrote an opera, Vincent, based on several events in Van Gogh's life, and later used some of the same themes in his 6th symphony, Vincentiana.

Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa paid homage to Van Gogh in the 1990 film "Yume" (Dreams). The film was based upon Kurosawa's own dreams and included a vignette entitled "Crows," which starred Martin Scorsese as the painter.
Stone's novel (see above) was later turned into a multiple Oscar Award-winning film with the same name starring Kirk Douglas
Australian director Paul Cox made a film called Vincent in 1987 which consists entirely of readings of passages from Vincent's letters accompanied by scenes of various landscapes.
Maurice Pialat's 1991 film starred Jacques Dutronc as Van Gogh.
Director Robert Altman portrayed the life story of Vincent van Gogh (Tim Roth) and of his brother Theo van Gogh (Paul Rhys) in the film Vincent & Theo (1990).

In 1999 the Stuckists art movement named Van Gogh an honorary member,^[1] and in 2004 their co-founder Billy Childish staged a homage show of interpretations.^[2]