1822–1885: Theodorus Van Gogh (father)

Theodorus van Gogh was born on 8 February 1822 in Benschop (municipality of Lopik, province of Utrecht). His father’s name was Vincent van Gogh (1789–1874) and served, amongst other roles, as a minister at the Grote Kerk in Breda and as secretary to the Maatschappij van Welstand, an organisation which, among other things, acquired land and farms to facilitate the settlement of Protestant families in Catholic North Brabant. Theodorus (known as ‘Dorus’, nicknamed ‘the handsome minister’) died on 26 March 1885 in Nuenen. The funeral took place on 30 March, Vincent’s birthday.

In the many letters Vincent wrote to his brother Theo (Photo), his father Theodorus features very frequently. He was a man of great standing. Initially, Vincent placed him on an almost unreachably high pedestal. But this admiration later turned into a sharp divergence from his father’s way of thinking and acting. The relationship ended in mutual estrangement.

‘Pa van Gogh’ is buried in the old cemetery on Tomakker in Nuenen. The grave is well preserved. You can visit it. The key is available from the Van Gogh Village Museum in Nuenen.