Final answer:
Vincent Van Gogh is known for his swirling brushstrokes, thick impasto, and intense color that infused emotion into ordinary subjects. His style evolved in Arles and through his interaction with other artists in Paris, contributing to his legacy as a Post-Impressionist master.
Step-by-step explanation:
Vincent Van Gogh, a master of Post-Impressionism, is acclaimed for his distinctive artistry and the emotional depth he conveyed in his work. His pioneering use of thick impasto and swirling brushstrokes, combined with intense color, revolutionized the expressive potential of even the most common themes. Van Gogh’s style emerged vividly during his time in Arles, where his compositions, such as the iconic Starry Night, captured the dynamic spirit of nature.
In Paris, influenced by the vibrant hues of Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, Van Gogh lightened his palette and adapted a more broken style of brushstrokes, resulting in over 200 paintings in two years. He obsessively created self-portraits and other works that highlighted his experimental use of colors and bold contrasts. The emotional resonance of his art, layered with thick paint and animated by his brushwork, sought to express feelings and the subconscious.
Despite the modest reception of his art during his lifetime, Van Gogh's pieces, such as Wheat Field with Crows and Still Life Vase with Twelve Sunflowers, now command astonishing prices and remain some of the most celebrated artworks to date, embodying his adage to “Love what you love.”