Van Gogh Museum study analyzes artist's rare signatures

A new investigation by the Van Gogh Museum, titled ‘Simply Vincent: An Overview of Van Gogh’s Signed Paintings’, explores why the artist signed only 133 of his approximately 840 known works. Conducted by Julia Engelmayer, the study analyzed the color, shape, position, and visibility of these signatures alongside the artist’s personal correspondence.

Research indicates that Van Gogh’s decision to use his first name rather than his surname was largely practical. He believed his Dutch surname was difficult for international audiences to pronounce. In March 1888, he specifically requested his brother, Theo, that his name appear in future exhibitions as ‘Vincent and not Van Gogh’ for this reason.

Beyond the choice of name, the study notes that Van Gogh often broke the artistic conventions of the late 19th century. While most artists signed in colors that harmonized with the painting, Van Gogh used red ink or paint in at least 75 instances, sometimes making the signature a prominent part of the brushwork.