5. The self-portraits
have shaped our image
of Vincent.
There are over 35 self-portraits by Vin-
cent but just one portrait photo of him
Many artists have drawn inspiration from
Vincent’s self-portraits. They have been
reproduced an infi nite number of times since
the early 20th century.
The self-portraits put a face to the man who
became the archetype of the artist as tortured
genius. The yellow straw hat is now fi rmly
associated with Vincent and his love of the sun
and the colour yellow.
Only one portrait photo of Vincent has survived.
It shows him at the age of 19 with a slightly gruff
expression. Almost everything else we know
about his appearance comes from the many
self-portraits he painted.
No fewer than 35 of them are known. They
tell us that he had red hair, green eyes and an
angular face. Yet each of those faces is diff erent.
Zoe — Van Gogh
6
Cangini&Tucci
7
