Eugen von Boch, uncle of Eugene Boch

Johanna van Gogh Bonger and Baby Dr Vincent Willem van Gogh

Johanna van Gogh Bonger and Vincent Willem van Gogh in 1890

The fact that Vincent van Gogh is so famous today is partly due
to the work of Johanna van Gogh Bonger.

Johanna married Vincent´s brother Theo april 17 1889.
Vincent van Gogh died
Less than 2 years later, january 25 1891 her husband died after a nervous break down.

After the death of her husband Johanna returned to Bussum in the Netherlands.

23 July 1891
she wrote to Eugene Boch:
"I have heared that you would like to have the portrait,
which Vincent has painted about you in Arles in 1888.
It would be a pleasure for me to give it to you as a souvenir
of the two brothers,
as I know about the affection you had for them"

Even though Johanna was in financial difficulties
and she knew that Eugene Boch was wealthy
she did not try to benefit from the situation
getting any money for the painting
(at that time van Gogh paintings were sold around 300 francs,
the 400 francs Anna Boch had paid for the Red Vineyard
was considered by the van Gogh brothers to be a very good price)

Johanna played a key role in the growth of Vincent´s fame
through the organisation of various retrospective exhipitions she organised
with the help of Emile Bernard.

In 1903 Johanna moved to Amsterdam.

Johanna van Gogh Bonger

Johanna worked assiduously on editing the correspondence between Vincent and Theo.
The first folume was produced in 1914.

Johanna died in 1925

Dr Vincent Willem van Gogh, Johanna and Theo´s child

Vincent van Gogh had held his baby nephew in his arms just a few months before his death.
Vincent Willem van Gogh married Josina Wibaut.
(Dr Therese Thomas corresponded with Vincent Willem van Gogh
about Anna Boch ... the letters will soon be published on this website)

1960 interview with Vincent Willem van Gogh
at the eccasion of the expo friends of Vincent van Gogh

They had 4 sons and 1 daughter
(grandchildren of Johanna, great nephew and niece of Vincent van Gogh)

Theodoor van Gogh (1920 - 1945)
Johann van Gogh (1922 .... 3 children, Theo, Josine, Jantine)
Florentius van Gogh (1925 - 1999 .... 3 children)
Mathilde Cramer van Gogh (1925 - 2008 .... 4 children)

Dr Vincent Willem van Gogh is at the origin
of the Van Gogh Foundation