Lust for life (1956) by Vincente Minelli. Vincent Van Gogh´s dual pathology

Abstract

Various theories have tried to explain the symptons suffered by the painter Vincent Willem van Gogh (Zundert, 3º de marzo de 1853 – Auvers-sur-Oise, 29 de julio de 1890), one of the greatest exponents of post-impresionism. The main source of information, in addition to the medical reports of the specialists who treated him at various stages of his existence, is the extensive correspondence he sustained with his brother Theodorus «Theo» van Gogh (Zundert, 1 de mayo de 1857 – Utrecht, 25 de enero de 1891), almost 800 letters. Lust for life (1956) of Vincente Minelli, represents a remarkable approach to the tribulations of the artista, filmed in many of the real places in which he lived, and performed by the recently deceased actor Kirk Douglas, at 103 years of age. Considering the psychiatric pathology of Vincent van Gogh, as well as his possible dependence on substances such tobacco and alcohol, we understand that we could find ourselves in a case of dual pathology.

Keywords

• trastornos psiquiátricos
• patología dual
• dependencia y abuso de sustancias
• pintura
• cine