- Spans the early work of Vincent van Gogh (1853-90) in the Netherlands, the formative years in and around Paris, and ends with the intense, vibrant studies of peasants and the countryside he produced in the South of France- Makes extensive use of Van Gogh's correspondence to illuminate his artistic development and the personal vision that lies behind his work- Reveals the art as the product of a reflective and idea-driven man who was profoundly interested in and inspired by all manner of literary, musical and artistic sources