Van Gogh, after his first breakdown, wrote to

Theo:

Just a few words to tell you that I'm getting along so-so as regards my health and work. Which I already find astonishing when I compare my state today with that of a month ago. I well knew that one could break one's arms and legs before, and that then afterwards that could get better but I didn't know that one could break one's brain and that afterwards that got better too (letter 743, 1889).

Neglected as an artist during his lifetime, Vincent van Gogh is now among the most popular and well-known artists ever. In addition to his powerful art, the drama of his life contributes to this. The dramatization of his interactions with others (e.g. Gauguin and the ear incident) and the emphasis on his illness, often overshadow his artistic genius. Van Gogh in Detail focuses on his ability to express universal and powerful human emotion. The book deals with several repeated themes in his work, illustrated by embroidered details and hand-colored drawings. It provides a new look at his work, especially at its profundity, complexity, and continued relevance today.