Mrs Van Gogh: The breathtaking historical novel inspired by the true story of the woman who made Van Gogh famous

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I have wondered whether a subsidiary motive in selling Vincent’s art might have been to provide an income. But Luijten points out that Bonger had considerable investments, partly from her time with Theo, so “she never really needed the money from sales”. A fascinating point that emerges in the biography is the observation that Bonger switched her efforts after 1914 to promote Van Gogh’s work in Britain and the United States. Collectors there had been late to come under the artist's spell (the US angle is explored in an exhibition in Detroit, Van Gogh and America, until 22 January 2023). As Luijten puts it, Bonger placed an emphasis on Anglo-American sales in the hope that this would “stimulate curiosity about his letters”.

The author paints a beautiful picture…If you enjoy historical fiction and you like strong female characters, I highly recommend” A case holding photographs of Jo Bonger and Theo van Gogh (1889) Credit: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)Cauchi has done such a large amount of research into Johanna and the brothers, and her author's note explains that whilst many of the events detailed are the truth, there is a lot of information missing, and so, she's created a fictional account of how she sees Johanna, and her impact on the brother's lives. In 1890, Vincent Van Gogh dies penniless, unknown, a man tortured by his own mind. Eleven years later his work is exhibited in Paris and his unparalleled talent finally recognised. The tireless efforts of one woman gave the world one of its greatest creative minds. But twenty-eight-year-old Joanna Van Gogh-Binger, Vincent's sister-in-law and keeper of his immense collection of paintings, sketches and letters, has, until now, been written out of history. This beautiful, moving novel finally gives this extraordinary woman a voice. Author Caroline Cauchi details the time before and during Theo's and Jo's courtship through their very brief marriage and early deaths of both young men. Theo and Jo were introduced by Andries, Jo's brother. Their first few months were loving and harmonious. However, Vincent's disturbing mental and physical issues were a constant worry and as the brothers were extremely close, Theo put Vincent first. Throughout the story Jo goes through tumultuous emotions as she comes to grips with the family she has married into...and the one she left. Vincent and Theo's deaths are described as well as Jo's life over the ensuing decades.

From the age of 17, barring her marriage to Theo, she kept a detailed diary, which later became an important source for how she helped create Vincent's posthumous fame, and highlighted the role of her late husband. [6] Hans Luijten, who edited Vincent van Gogh's letters for publication by the Van Gogh Museum, was granted permission to see the diary, and used it for his 2019 full-length biography of van Gogh-Bonger, [7] published in English in 2022. [3] Adulthood [ edit ] With son Vincent Willem at the studio of photographer Raoul Saisset, 4 Rue Frochot, Paris, 1890Mrs. Van Gogh is the story of Johanna Bonger, who becomes Mrs. Theo Van Gogh. The story is written from Jo's perspective, from the time she arrives in Paris to live with her brother, to just a few short years later when she makes it her mission to promote her brother-in-law's art so that he becomes world-renowned. Overall, this novel is about art, love, and family. I found all of the characters to be very fascinating. As much as I liked the characters, the novel was not without flaws. I thought that this book was very slow and repetitive. I also thought that after the Van Goh brothers died, the rest of the story was rushed. Even though it was a long book, it needed to be to flesh out the latter parts of Johanna’s life. Still, I found this novel to be meticulously researched and was very well-written. I liked how the setting focused on the art world of Paris, and it made me feel as if I was walking with Johanna along the Parisian streets. Thus, this novel is a must-read for art lovers! I recommend this novel for fans of Rodin’s Lover , The Other Alcott , and Ophelia’s Muse !