Vincent van Gogh was born March 30,1853 in the Netherlands.  He was the son of a minister and had 4 siblings, and raised in an upper middle class home.

He was a Post-Impressionist painter.  He is known for his use of bold colors, dramatic, impulsive, and expressive brushwork.  His most famous paintings are landscapes, still life's, and portraits.  

In childhood, he drew a lot and his personality was described as serious, thoughtful, and quiet. 

The jobs he held included an art dealer and a Protestant missionary in Belgium for a time.  

His mental health declined, so he took up painting in 1881.

The Potato Eaters was one of his earlier paintings, where you can see his earlier, darker style.