The author explores the unique and intense link between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo as illustrated in two biographical films: Vincent and Theo (1990) by Robert Altman and At Eternity’s Gate (2018) by Julian Schnabel. Starting from Vincent’s condition as a replacement son, the author traces some key moments of the fraternal link between Vincent and Theo, focusing his analysis on certain elements such as the idealisation of the fraternal couple, identification dynamics, and the concept of the double. These elements will lead to some concluding reflections on the fraternal in psychoanalysis
Vincent and Theo van Gogh: Their fraternal link in two biographical films / Sommantico, Massimiliano. - In: COUPLE AND FAMILY PSYCHOANALYSIS. - ISSN 2044-4133. - 15:1(2025), pp. 20-33.
Vincent and Theo van Gogh: Their fraternal link in two biographical films
Sommantico, Massimiliano
2025
Abstract
The author explores the unique and intense link between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo as illustrated in two biographical films: Vincent and Theo (1990) by Robert Altman and At Eternity’s Gate (2018) by Julian Schnabel. Starting from Vincent’s condition as a replacement son, the author traces some key moments of the fraternal link between Vincent and Theo, focusing his analysis on certain elements such as the idealisation of the fraternal couple, identification dynamics, and the concept of the double. These elements will lead to some concluding reflections on the fraternal in psychoanalysisI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
