Vincent van Gogh: Mental health

• Art
• Middelbare school
• Basisschool
• vmbo, mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1-6

Introductie

inspiratiesessie

Vincent van Gogh

Objectives of this session

At the end of this session you will:

1. be able to explain who Vincent van Gogh was, with a focus on his mental health.
2. be prepared for your visit to the van Gogh Village

Introduce the learning objectives to the students and explain what will be covered in the lesson.

Art as Therapy, 2016

Some artworks can actually help us with our personal problems. They can calm us down, cheer us up, or help us understand our feelings. But to notice this, we have to look at art differently.

In museums or books, people often talk about when the artwork was made, who made it, or what style it is. That’s interesting, but it doesn’t show how art can support us in our everyday lives.

The writers of Art as Therapy say that the idea “art is only about art” gets in the way. They believe art can comfort us, teach us, and make us feel understood and we should use it for that.

Some important literature has been written on the subject matter by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong, and also The school of life. 

Discussion

How does looking at art make you feel, and why do you think that is?

Encourage students to think critically about the importance of mental health awareness and the role of art in promoting mental health.

Discussion

Can you think of a time when art (a drawing, song, film, etc.) helped you with your feelings? What happened?

Encourage students to think critically about the importance of mental health awareness and the role of art in promoting mental health.

Discussion

Why might some people feel better when they make art?

Encourage students to think critically about the importance of mental health awareness and the role of art in promoting mental health.

Wellbeing with Vincent

Teaching about mental health with the Van Gogh Museum

Teaching about mental health with the Van Gogh Museum

Teaching about mental health with the Van Gogh Museum

Healing power of art

Hope

Throughout his life, Vincent van Gogh felt the healing power of art. It offered him peace and hope.

Remedy

To him, painting was the solution for the mental issues with which he struggled. 

Letters

In his letters to his brother Theo, Vincent was open about his mental health; he wrote about his periods of crisis and recovery.

Research

Studies show that art can be good for our health and our overall happiness. The two-year pandemic was very hard for many people. A lot of young people say they feel stressed, tired, or sad because of it.

In times like these, art can really help. It can stop small problems from becoming bigger, and it can make difficult feelings lighter. 

Discuss Van Gogh's struggles with mental health and how they affected his life and work.

What do you already know about Vincent van Gogh?

Mental health and mindfulness

‘I knew that one could break one’s arms and legs before, and that then afterwards that could get better. But I didn’t know that one could break one’s brain and that afterwards that got better too.’

Vincent to his brother Theo, 28 January 1889

Provide a brief overview of Vincent van Gogh's life and work to give students a better understanding of the artist they will be learning about.

Vincent

Vincent van Gogh had a troubled life. Things weren’t always easy. His mental health difficulties sometimes made him frightened, sad and unsure of himself. He was quite fragile, but he was also strong. He always tried to find the courage to carry on. Painting helped him get himself together again, and nature gave him comfort. 

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses most of Vincent van Goghs paintings and drawings, and almost all of his letters. Especially these letters shed light on Vincents ambitions as an artist, his joys ànd tragedies in art and life. Mental health is also part of his story. There were periods of ‘melancholy’ in his early life, he could be passionate about things and would work too hard, neglecting his health. This resulted in Arles, in The Yellow House in a mental breakdown – when he cut of his ear – and his voluntary admittance to a psychiatric institution. His art though was a great support for him, and he felt working would make him better. He also hoped his art would be consoling to others. 

Mindfullness at the museum

What is mindfulness?

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is about the art of being present in the here and now, being fully aware of present experience. Mindfulness boosts your well-being, helps you cope better with the difficult aspects of life, and promotes your mental health and sense of well-being.

Art and mindfulness

Works of art are a great source or "anchor" to practice mindfulness with. Among other things, mindfulness is experienced with your senses, such as looking. This makes a museum a nice, accessible place. You step out of the delusion of the day, look at art, and let yourself be amazed.

Explain the specific efforts of the Van Gogh Museum to promote mental health awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.