Van Gogh is believed to have suffered from a range of physical and mental health issues, including epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and possibly lead poisoning from his paints.
In one of his letters to his brother Theo he said “Without trying to understand my mental illness I would have never known that the sadness does not last forever.”
“I am in a grey place right now. Stress paired with mental illness is not a good combination for creative work”
Impact on Art: His mental health struggles are often linked to the emotional intensity and expressive nature of his work. During periods of instability, his brushwork became more frenetic, and his use of color more dramatic. Some scholars also suggest that his use of halos and swirling patterns (e.g., in The Starry Night) may have been influenced by visual disturbances caused by his condition.
