[Theo van Gogh's medical record]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1992 Sep 5;136(36):1777-80.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

In the final months of his life Theo van Gogh was admitted to the 'Geneeskundig Gesticht voor Krankzinnigen te Utrecht'. In November 1990 from the archives of the Willem Arntsz Huis, psychiatric centre in Utrecht, the medical files from this period were made available and a transcription was made by Han van Crimpen and Sjraar van Heugten, scientific collaborators of the Van Gogh Museum. From these data it is acceptable to conclude that Theo van Gogh had dementia paralytica and suffered a fast deterioration of his situation in these last few months. It is, however, probable that at least as early as 1886 Theo showed the first symptoms of this disease when he was in Paris, and that he was treated for this reason by dr. Rivet and dr. Gruby. There are insufficient indications that in Vincent van Gogh's case the same diagnosis can be put forward. It is most probable that during Vincent's visit to Theo in Paris in July 1890 in Theo's case symptoms of his medical deterioration were to be seen and this may have influenced the considerations finally leading to Vincent van Gogh's suicide.

Publication types

  • Biography
  • Historical Article
  • Portrait

MeSH terms

  • Famous Persons*
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Netherlands
  • Paintings / history
  • Paresis / history*

Personal name as subject

  • T van Gogh