Most casual art lovers see Van Gogh as a troubled, but successful artist. This is far from the actual truth of his chaotic life, which was filled with failure in every occupational andromantic pursuit he attempted, including painting. His life was marked by episodes of depression, violence and abnormal behavior.At the age of sixteen, Van Gogh went to go work with his Uncle Vincent, whom he was named after, as an art dealer at the Goupil and Co( An art dealership in Belgium ) . This job hadbranches not only in Europe, butin America as well. Vincent was assigned to the branch in London. There he got his first rejectionin love. He fell in love with the daughter of his landlady. Van Gogh thought her feelings would bemutual,though she was not attracted to him. In fact, she was disgusted by him. She was engaged to bemarried, anyway. Because he was so hurt from this rejection, he took it out on his career. He toldthe costumers they were buying useless junk and insulted them for that. Van Gogh had to go toParis and only his uncles influence allowed him a second chance with the firm. His harshbehaviortoward the costumers continued. In 1876, the Goupils managers had to let him go. Van Gogh, being the son of a Lutheran minister, was very much drawn toward religion. Van Gogh decided to prepare himself for ministry by training in the study of theology. He failedat the courses and could not be the minister he hoped to become. Even though he failed the courses, he still had the desire to be a minister. His superiors sent him as a lay missionary to Belgium instead.There he wanted to be like his father and help out the unfortunates as a preacher. He tried to fight poverty through the teachings of Christ. Van Goghs mission had to be cut short. His approach to fighting poverty did not make his superiors happy. In 1879, he moved to his fathers home in Ettan and stayed a while. He then left Ettan and went to The Hague. After leaving Belgium, he found he e...
