Famous Van Gogh Quotes & Their Meanings
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) wrote extensively—primarily to his brother Theo—in Dutch and French. Because of this, many of his well-known quotes are really translations or paraphrases. Below, you’ll find some of Van Gogh’s most famous lines, along with brief notes on where they likely come from and how accurate they might be.
For more context on his writings, explore the collection of Van Gogh Letters to see the original sources of many of these sentiments.
Quotes on Art & Creativity
1. “I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.”
Meaning/Context: Often associated with a letter to his brother Theo (c. Sept 1882), this line captures Van Gogh’s unwavering dedication. He continued painting despite personal and financial struggles, reflecting a deep sense of purpose.
Attribution: Most historians agree Van Gogh wrote something similar in his letters. The exact phrasing in English may differ, but it’s a solid reflection of what he said.
2. “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”
Meaning/Context: Suggests that large achievements, like Van Gogh’s masterpiece Sunflowers, are the result of many smaller steps. His paintings often began as sketches or color studies before becoming the vibrant works we know.
Attribution: Commonly connected to a mid-1882 letter. The wording is likely paraphrased, but it reflects his belief in incremental effort leading to big results.
3. “I dream my painting and then I paint my dream.”
Meaning/Context: Frequently cited to show Van Gogh’s imaginative process—he visualized his artwork before bringing it to life on canvas.
Attribution: This phrase isn’t found verbatim in any one letter. It’s more a concise way of summing up how he described imagination and painting.
Quotes on Love & Passion
1. “What is done in love is done well.”
Meaning/Context: Van Gogh firmly believed that genuine care and devotion lead to better outcomes—be it in art or human relationships.
Attribution: Likely derived from early letters (c. 1880). It closely matches his sentiment, though exact wording varies in English.
2. “I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”
Meaning/Context: Emphasizes Van Gogh’s empathy for the human condition. We see this in works like The Potato Eaters, where he aimed to portray peasant life with raw honesty and compassion.
Attribution: Some translations tie this to discussions in his letters about portraying everyday people. Scholars agree it’s pretty close to what he expressed, though the wording isn’t a direct one-to-one quote.
Quotes on Nature
1. “If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”
Meaning/Context: Van Gogh’s reverence for nature is clear in landscapes like Wheatfield with Crows. He believed beauty existed in all natural settings, no matter how humble.
Attribution: More of a paraphrase than a single line from his letters, but it accurately captures his overarching philosophy about nature’s omnipresent beauty.
2. “I never get tired of the blue sky.”
Meaning/Context: In many letters, Van Gogh marvels at the intense blue of the French countryside. The Starry Night is a perfect example of how he used blue to convey both serenity and emotional depth.
Attribution: This statement (or something quite close) does appear in letters, so it’s likely a faithful translation of Van Gogh’s own words.
Quotes on Perseverance & Adversity
1. “I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.”
Meaning/Context: Reflects the emotional and psychological toll painting took on Van Gogh, who famously struggled with his mental health. Though the exact phrase might not exist in his letters, it conveys his consistent references to personal sacrifice for art.
Attribution: Often credited to Van Gogh, but likely an adaptation of comments he made about suffering for his art. Not an exact quote from any single letter.
Disputed Quotes
“Normality is a paved road: it’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.”
Meaning/Context: This line suggests that stepping off the beaten path fosters creativity and growth—ideas that align with Van Gogh’s life, but there is no known source in his surviving letters.
Attribution: Widely shared on the internet, but no verifiable record of Van Gogh writing or saying this. Many art historians consider it apocryphal (not authentic).
Conclusion
These quotations illuminate Van Gogh’s passion for art, empathy for humanity, and love of nature. While some are paraphrases or translations that capture his essence, others closely match his original letters. As with much of Van Gogh’s legacy, the exact words may sometimes be uncertain, but the spirit remains undeniably his.
If you’d like to learn more, visit our comprehensive Van Gogh article or browse our Van Gogh Collection for mugs, phone cases, and more art-inspired items.