Why Brother Theo
I chose the name Brother Theo because it encapsulates an idea that is central to career coaching and legacy planning.
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous artists in the world and a household name. He is famous for his art, but also known for the story of his life.
While Vincent van Gogh sold or bartered a number of paintings during his lifetime, it is common knowledge that he only sold one painting in his entire life: Red Vineyard at Arles, which was sold for 400 francs at a Brussels exhibition in March 1890, four months before his suicide.
So, how did he achieve such success posthumously?
Vincent van Gogh had a younger brother, Theo, who was an art dealer of some renown and supported Vincent financially. He also advocated for Vincent’s work and guided him into a career in art. Theo proved to be an extraordinarily generous patron in the last ten years of Vincent’s life, and his unremitting support was a driving force behind Vincent’s artistic career.
Vincent van Gogh’s art became astoundingly popular after his death
In the final two years of his life, Vincent had gained recognition among the avant-garde, and his work had been displayed in exhibitions in Paris. However, it was after his death that his paintings became famous.
Tragically, Theo passed away only six months after his brother, leaving behind an apartment full of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings and 605 letters that the brothers shared. This estate passed onto Theo’s wife, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, who went on to create one of the most successful artist estates that there has ever been.