The article argues against the theory that Vincent van Gogh was murdered, asserting that he died by suicide on July 27, 1890. The murder theory, popularized by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith's 2011 biography "Van Gogh: The Life," claims that 16-year-old René Secrétan shot the artist, and that van Gogh protected him by claiming suicide. The author counters this with ten reasons, including that van Gogh's doctor Paul Gachet, his brother Theo, friends like Emile Bernard, and Paul Gauguin all believed it was suicide, and that police records support this conclusion.
This matters because the murder theory has gained traction through acclaimed films like "Loving Vincent" (2017) and "At Eternity's Gate" (2018), influencing public perception of van Gogh's death. The article seeks to reaffirm the traditional suicide narrative, emphasizing that contemporary witnesses and evidence consistently point to suicide. It highlights how myths can surround iconic artists, and the importance of historical accuracy in understanding van Gogh's life and legacy.