What was the difference between van Gogh and Gauguin?

The difference between van Gogh and Gauguin was in their artistic styles and preferred subject matter. Although both artists were self-taught and are now considered Post-Impressionists, you can draw many contrasts between their work. Van Gogh tended to apply thick layers of paint with a technique known as impasto, giving his work dramatic texture. On the other hand, Gauguin's paintings are smoother, but they are equally dramatic due to his use of vibrant, often unrealistic or unexpected colors. The primary goal of van Gogh was to express his feelings and emotions through his landscapes, portraits and still-lifes. Instead of self-expression, Gauguin concerned himself with infusing symbolism and spiritualism into his work. He was a pioneer of Primitivism, art that seeks to explore the relationship between early man and his environment. On 1stDibs, find a range of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin art.