What's happening?

A new set of paintings have gone on display in London. They are by Vincent van Gogh. He lived over 140 years ago in HollandHolland is part of the Netherlands, a country in Europe. .

Van Gogh was famous for his pictures of the countryside. But this collection is different: all the paintings are self-portraitsA portrait is a picture of a person. A self-portrait is where the artist makes a portrait of themselves.. They are pictures of van Gogh - and he painted them himself.

Today, van Gogh is one of the world's most famous painters. He painted many well-known pictures. One is SunflowersA very famous painting of sunflowers. It is known as a still life painting.. Another is Starry NightThe painting is known for its beautiful swirling dark blue sky..

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But he had a sad life. Van Gogh struggled with mental health problems. This meant that he sometimes felt very angry or sad and was not able to control his emotions. Sometimes, he would harm himselfVan Gogh cut off his own ear. One of his self-portraits shows his ear in a bandage. and have blackouts.

Van Gogh did not get the help he needed. There was not the same understanding of mental health as there is today. He died by suicide. He was only 37. 

Critics love the new exhibitionA public showing of art, crafts, products, or skills. . They say the pictures he painted of himself show his true emotions.

Yes! Being a genius is about having a brain unlike everyone else's. Of course this makes life difficult for real geniuses! 

Not always! Van Gogh was not very well. But there are plenty of geniuses who are good all-rounders! Life is about balance.