Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. Despite struggling with mental illness and poverty, he produced over 2,000 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings. Van Gogh's works are characterized by bold colors, emotional honesty, and expressive brushwork. His most famous paintings include 'Starry Night' and 'Sunflowers'. Tragically, he only achieved recognition after his death, with his works now fetching some of the highest prices at auctions.