Dispels the theory that van Gogh's last works were a product of his madness and challenges the assumption that he was a founding father of the modern movement in art. Van Gogh saw himself as part of the broad cultural life of the 19th century, and Sweetman places him within that context.

Sweetman's revisionist biography successfully brings objectivity and reason to the popular view of Vincent, the mad artist. Based primarily on the correspondence of Vincent, his brother Theo, and his friends, but also incorporating recent scholarly findings and social history, the book places the artist solidly within the context of his family and his time. Although mystery will probably always surround some of Vincent's actions and his mood swings from fanaticism to depression and back again, this book goes far in its attempt to understand the motivations behind Vincent's search for a career and then for his own artistic style.