Self-Portraiture

Vincent van Gogh and Charles Obach: An Unlikely Path to Artistic Greatness

A Newly Discovered Portrait Sheds Light on a Pivotal Relationship

In the archives of London’s National Portrait Gallery, a remarkable discovery has been made: a previously unknown portrait of Charles Obach, the manager of the London branch of the Goupil Gallery. This portrait offers a fascinating glimpse into the relationship between Obach and Vincent van Gogh, a young artist whose life took a dramatic turn under Obach’s influence.

Obach and van Gogh: An Uneasy Alliance

Vincent van Gogh’s disdain for photography is well-documented. He believed that photographs captured only a superficial likeness, while painted portraits conveyed the deeper essence of the subject. Ironically, the only known photographic representation of van Gogh as an adult is a portrait taken in 1873 by Dutch photographer Jacobus de Louw.

In contrast, the newly discovered portrait of Obach reveals a man of poise and self-confidence. As art expert Martin Bailey notes, this portrait stands in stark contrast to van Gogh’s own, which depicts a troubled expression and an air of reserve.

Van Gogh’s Unconventional Journey

Van Gogh’s path to artistic greatness was anything but conventional. He initially worked as an art dealer at the Goupil Gallery’s Hague branch, but his lack of customer interaction skills led Obach to send him to the London branch in 1873.

At first, Obach welcomed van Gogh, even inviting him on a weekend trip and celebrating Christmas with him and his family. However, van Gogh’s unconventional behavior and inability to connect with customers ultimately led to his dismissal from Goupil in 1876.

Obach’s Unintended Influence

Despite his dismissal, van Gogh and Obach remained on relatively friendly terms. Bailey notes that they briefly met in the Hague in 1881, and Obach sent condolences to Theo van Gogh after Vincent’s death in 1890.

Ironically, Obach’s decision to dismiss van Gogh may have inadvertently pushed him towards his true calling as an artist. Van Gogh’s subsequent experiences working at a boarding school, a bookshop, and a coal mine further fueled his desire to serve others and to express himself through art.

The Influence of Self-Portraiture

Van Gogh’s belief in the power of self-portraits as a means of capturing one’s true essence is evident in his numerous self-portraits. He produced over 43 self-portraits in various forms, exploring his own identity and questioning the nature of art.

In a letter to his sister Wilhelmina, van Gogh articulated his belief that painted portraits endure longer than photographs and convey a deeper emotional connection. He wrote, “[Photographed] portraits, first, are faded more quickly than we ourselves, while the painted portrait remains for many generations. Besides, a painted portrait is a thing of feeling made with love or respect for the being represented.”

A Legacy of Influence

Despite the uneasy circumstances of their relationship, Obach and van Gogh’s paths intertwined in a way that would forever shape the art world. Obach’s dismissal may have been the catalyst that set van Gogh on his artistic journey, leading him to create some of the most beloved and influential works of art in history.

The discovery of Obach’s portrait adds a new layer to our understanding of this pivotal relationship. It offers a glimpse into the two men who played a significant role in shaping van Gogh’s life and legacy, ultimately enriching the world with the profound beauty and emotional depth of his art.