1. Vincent Van Gogh Dutch Post-Impressionist Painter, 1853-1890

4. His paintings and drawings include some of the world's best known,most popular and most expensive pieces.

6. Van Gogh spent his early adult life working for a firm of art dealers. After a brief spell as a teacher, he became a missionary worker in a very poor mining region. He did not embark upon a career as an artist until 1880.

7. He produced more than 2,000 works, including around 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches, during the last ten years of his life. Most of his best-known works were produced in the final two years of his life, during which time he cut off part of his left ear following a breakdown in his friendship with Paul Gauguin .

9. Vincent Van Gogh His Paintings

10. Portrait of Dr Gachet 1890 Dr. Paul Gachet, who took care of Van Gogh in his last months. In 1990, it fetched a record price of $82.5 million ($75 million, plus a 10 percent buyer's commission). There are two authentic versions of the portrait, both painted in June 1890 in Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris. Both show Doctor Gachet sitting at a table and leaning his head onto his right arm, but they are easily differentiated. Portrait of Doctor Gachet (first version) Portrait of Doctor Gachet (second version)