ELI5: Why Did Van Gogh Become Famous After His Death?

Vincent van Gogh became famous only after he died because his art style was too unusual for people of his time, and it took the hard work of his sister-in-law to share his talent with the world.

To understand why this happened, think about these simple everyday reasons:

• He was ahead of his fashion: Imagine you invented bright, neon clothes when everyone else in your town only wore plain gray. People might think your clothes look strange at first. Vincent painted with swirling lines and super bright colors, but people back then only liked neat, dark, realistic pictures. It took time for people's tastes to change.
• He was bad at self-promotion: Just like a quiet kid at school who makes amazing paper airplanes but keeps them hidden in a backpack, Vincent was very shy and lonely. He did not know how to sell his work, so almost nobody knew his paintings existed while he was alive.
• A family member helped him: After Vincent and his brother Theo died, Theo's wife, Jo van Gogh-Bonger, inherited a house full of Vincent's dusty paintings. She knew they were special. Like a mother proudly showing off her child's best drawings, Jo spent years organizing art shows, meeting with important art collectors, and publishing Vincent's letters.