Vincent van Gogh Van Gogh's fame reached its first peak in Austria and Germany before World War I, helped by the publication of his letters in three volumes in 1914. His letters are expressive and literate, and have been described as among the foremost 19th-century writings of their kind. These began a compelling mythology of Van Gogh as an intense and dedicated painter who suffered for his art and died young. In 1934, the novelist Irving Stone wrote a biographical novel of Van Gogh's life titled "Lust for Life", based on Van Gogh's letters to Theo. This novel and the 1956 film further
Still life paintings by Vincent van Gogh (Netherlands) himself is Émile Zola's novel "La Joie de vivre" (English: "The Joy of Living"), which van Gogh saw as a "Bible for modern life", placing it next to his father's Bible in the painting. The burned out candle could symbolize van Gogh's father's death or it could represent Vincent's disenchantment with traditional faith. "Still-Life with Straw Hat" and another painting of this period, "Still-life with Earthen Pot and Clogs," are regarded by critics and writers for their technical mastery. Both are characterized by smooth, meticulous brushwork and fine shading of colors. Still life paintings by Vincent van Gogh (Netherlands) Still