6 Inspiring Vincent van Gogh Quotes

Van Gogh is without doubt one of the most influential painters of the 20th century. His bold, vivid brushstrokes and often deeply personal subjects inspired abstract expressionism in the 1940s and 1950s and left a lasting mark on all of modern art.

Van Gogh is equally famous for his work and for the turbulent twists of his personal life; to us, he is known as the misunderstood genius.

Despite suffering from acute mental illness, in his letters to his brother Theo, Van Gogh wrote about universal human struggles, about what it means to be human and an artist; about self-doubt, the pursuit of truth and beauty, and making the most of one's own talents.

Below you will find our favorite words from one of the great masters.

1. Greatness is achieved not suddenly, but by patiently scraping away at the iron wall that separates a person's feelings from their abilities.

2. Bring out what matters most; don't focus on what is obvious.

3. If you never forget how many stars there are and how boundless the sky is, life will seem like a miracle.

4. If you hear a voice within you saying, "you cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.

5. There is no greater art than true love.

6. Normality is a paved road. It is comfortable to walk on, but nothing grows on it.