Why are Van Gogh's paintings valuable?

Question

Why are his paintings worth millions/billions of dollars?

Why do people now consider his work valuable art and during his lifetime the people didn't consider it worthy of even the canvas he painted on?

What makes it all priceless work of art TODAY?

(Personally, I like his paintings! :)

Answer 1

Most of these paintings have rather a historical value. Van Gogh's art was something new in many ways, so he is an important milestone. Many artist could or can paint as good as he, but he was the first to paint in such way.

Of course, he's also a great painter.

Answer 2

I don't know if you're being serious, but I'll assume that you are. Vincent Van Gogh is an extraordinarily influential artist who has influenced not only painting, but literature and film as well. Also, the fact that Van Gogh's brush strokes and style were totally original in his time also adds something to the mix and by viewing how many people imitated his style of art afterward points to how influential he was--he inspired a wholly new movement of painting: Expressionism. A child's smearings? Have you ever looked at "Starry Night Over the Rhone" or "Wheat Field with Cypresses"? If a child painted that, he would have to be not just a brilliant painter, but a great drawer. Also, the nuances he put in his paintings and the brush strokes he used in many paintings to give the illusion of motion are the marks of a genius. If you want to critique some artist's work and call it children smear, you would have better luck with someone like Jackson Pollock.

Answer 3

Van Gogh Art has become more then art, it is a symbol of status owning a Van Gogh, similar to owning a Picasso, Degas or Monet oil paintings.
I am a huge fan of Van Gogh, he is the perfect example, of how you can be ever so talented and not succeed in your lifetime, but become an art icon when you are dead.
I bought a handmade reproduction of Van Gogh Starry Night:
http://www.overstockart.com/starrynight.html and you can see the famous brushstrokes that made him so special.

Answer 4

I think that this is a good quaestin. In his time, he was simplly not understood by majority, as mijority was used to academic style. Matter of fashion, which basically closed their eyes and minds to new influences. Simply he was avanguard in his time, so many could not understand it.
But his paintings are so much full of life, and a new way of looking to painting and paint at that time..and it also influenced many, many other painters..even painters of his time.
For me, a good painting is a painting in front which I feel alive, and I have this feeling in my belly...it is not something you can treully describe. It works or it does not work FOR YOU and it is for everyone..no matter if that is Picasso, van Gogh or any other celebrity. If you like it you like it, if you don't than you don't.

Answer 5

Van Gogh's painting are so valuable because he paints in a way that is unique and I guess it's not valuable these days because people tend to think the style of the olden days paintings are so obsolete and doesn't seen to appreciate the work that has been done.

Answer 6

Right place at the right time... Well, to be honest he did not see any penny from his works... But he was acquainted with artists that they were on the verge of being recognized as masters: i.e. Cezanne, Gauguin, Pizarro,...

Answer 7

I think we have to thank Johanna Gesina van Gogh for it, for she's the one who put together Vincents' works and letters, preserving them and showing them to the world. whithout which his works might have not been shown and would be lost.

Answer 8

He was one of the first readily identifiable "modern" painters. He broke with academy training, highly finished style, and subject matter, making him years ahead of his time, or an influence on the coming generations.

Answer 9

Because he's dead. That's all I got.
BTW, I'm dressing up as Van Gogh for Halloween this year. FUN!

Answer 10

FAME & Timing