27 Real Locations That Inspired Famous Paintings During his lifetime, Vincent van Gogh had no inkling that his work would become one of the world’s most famous paintings. Far from it. But that didn't stop the Postimpressionist artist from sharing his musings on art with friends and family. On June 5, 1890, Vincent van Gogh sat to write a letter to his younger sister, Wilhelmina. The Dutch artist w...