How Vincent Van Gogh Tragically Predicted His Own Death

Subliminal messages hidden in one of the artist's most iconic last works, and possible suicide note

Ashkan Modabber
4 min readFeb 12, 2023
van gogh stares at the sky in wheatfield with crows above him
Image generated on Midjourney

Standing at the epitome of what it means to be a tortured artist, it is of no surprise that one hundred and thirty years after his death art historians are still desperately searching for answers surrounding the premature demise of the father of post-impressionism. Van Gogh's impact on the art world was and still is monumental. He is one of the most celebrated artists in history. With over two thousand attributed works, his art portfolio provides a seemingly endless and rich opportunity to explore the depth of his genius.

Suicide or murder? This painting may hold the answers you seek.

The Painting

Wheatfield with Crows by Vincent Van Gogh (c. 1890).
Wheatfield with Crows by Vincent Van Gogh (c. 1890). Image source.

The scene depicted on the canvas seems to foreshadow the fate of the very person who painted it. An incoming storm covers a golden yellow wheatfield separated by a path leading to nowhere. As the painter could see no escape from where he was in life. This is the same wheatfield he so famously shot himself in the chest in.

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Ashkan Modabber

Top Writer in Art ✮ Toronto based, I currently write about art and personal finance. Contact: ashkanmodabber@gmail.com