Vincent van Gogh's artistic career only lasted from about 1880 to 1890. During that time, he produced over eight hundred paintings and a huge collection of drawings. Virtually self-taught, van Gogh developed his own individual style, which continues to inspire many today. Few artists of his time regarded him as a great painter, but during the twentieth century, decades after his death, he ranked among the most popular of artists. His works reveal an intense and expressive energy that is unmistakable.