Borinage
1878 – 1880
When his formal theological studies turned out to be a dead end, Vincent started work as an assistant minister among the miners of the Borinage, in Belgium. He felt strong empathy with their plight, going down the mineshaft himself to experience their pitiful conditions. His church superiors considered his involvement too close, and he was fired. Vincent shut himself off from everyone, even suspending his correspondence with his brother Theo. After Vincent had led this hermitic existence for some time, Theo visited him and urged him to embark on an artistic career. Vincent saw the light, comparing the moment to a bird that had moulted its old feathers and sprouted new ones. From that time on, he devoted himself fully to artistic pursuits.
From the book Vincent was here
Ron Dirven
On this page
1 / 8 Borinage Vincents House
Van Gogh House
© Karin Borghouts 1/2018
Petit-Wasmes, Colfontaine, Belgium
2 / 8 Borinage Wheat Field
Wheat Field
© Karin Borghouts 7/2019
Petit-Wasmes, Colfontaine, Belgium
4 / 8 Borinage Landscape
Mining Landscape - Marcasse site
© Karin Borghouts 1/2018
Petit-Wasmes, Colfontaine, Belgium
5 / 8 Borinage
Marcasse Mine
© Karin Borghouts 1/2018
Petit-Wasmes, Colfontaine BE
6 / 8 Borinage
Marcasse site
© Karin Borghouts 1/2018
Petit-Wasmes, Colfontaine BE
7 / 8 Borinage
Old Mine Site Marcasse
© Karin Borghouts 1/2018
Petit-Wasmes, Colfontaine BE
8 / 8 Borinage Vincent's House
Van Gogh House - La maison du marais
© Karin Borghouts 1/2018
Cuesmes, Belgium
