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Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
125 Questions and Answers

#22/125 What was Van Gogh’s relationship with his other siblings like?

Lindsey Courage asks what Van Gogh’s relationship with his other siblings was like. Read on for the answer.

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Vincent spent a lot of time with his family in his early years. The brothers and sisters often played together in the parsonage garden and celebrated all birthdays and religious holidays with each other. But Vincent was a troublesome, difficult child, and was sent to boarding school at the age of 11. He grew more withdrawn and more often did things alone.

When Theo followed Vincent’s tracks into art dealership, the bond between the brothers grew. Especially through their correspondence. Vincent had little contact with the rest of his family – of them, he was closest with his sister Wil, nine years his junior. She was also the only member of the family who appreciated Van Gogh’s art – aside from Theo, of course.

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Vincent van Gogh, Head of a Man (possibly Theo van Gogh), 1887
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