Vincent van Gogh: The Impact of Events in His Early Life on His Artwork

In Winnicott’s view, a good-enough-mother is one who adapts herself to her baby’s needs near the end of her pregnancy and following the baby’s birth, and can identify with him in his initial stage of absolute dependence. If the mother had previously lost a baby and was unable to mourn the loss, then the baby born after the lost infant has to struggle more to become himself as his mother is focused on the lost baby and cannot see the new one in his own right. This article examines the link between the painter Vincent van Gogh’s creative activity and the influence of his earliest relational experiences on his work and paintings.