Celebrities IQ

What Is Vincent Van Gogh's IQ?

By Samantha Davis, Psychology Writer
Published on November 13, 2024

Image by Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, used under CC BY 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Vincent Van Gogh's IQ Is Believed to Be Around 165

Vincent Van Gogh, a post-impressionist painter, revolutionized the art world with his vivid colors, emotional depth, and dramatic brushwork. Born in the Netherlands in 1853, Van Gogh's artwork became synonymous with the foundation of modern art. Despite facing mental health challenges and achieving little commercial success during his lifetime, his posthumous fame grew exponentially. His masterpieces, such as "Starry Night" and "Sunflowers," have captivated audiences worldwide. Van Gogh's estimated IQ of 165 underscores his exceptional intelligence, which complemented his artistic talent. It allowed him to explore and innovate in ways that still influence the art industry today.

Vincent Van Gogh's IQ

165

Methodology We Used to Estimate Vincent Van Gogh's IQ

Average Confidence Level

Low

We derived Vincent Van Gogh's approximative IQ from the following two sources: Geni and IQ Test Prep.

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Geni

165 IQ

IQ Test Prep

165 IQ

5 Reasons Why Vincent Van Gogh's Genius Isn't Surprising

Rapid Artistic Evolution: Within a decade, Vincent Van Gogh progressed from novice to pioneering post-impressionist artist. This demonstrates remarkable adaptability and intelligence in mastering various styles and techniques.
Extensive Correspondence: Van Gogh's letters, over 800 in number, reflect his deep thoughts on art, life, and philosophy. They offer insights into his intellectual capacity and ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.
Multilingual Abilities: Van Gogh spoke multiple languages, including Dutch, French, English, and German. This linguistic skill points to his high cognitive abilities, considering language proficiency correlates with intelligence.
Innovative Techniques: He revolutionized art with his bold use of colors and impasto technique, displaying an exceptional ability to experiment and innovate. Van Gogh contributed significantly to the development of modern art.
Self-Taught Artist: Largely self-taught, Van Gogh's ability to develop a distinct style that significantly influenced 20th-century art illustrates his autodidactic nature and intelligence.

Image by efraa, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

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Where Does Vincent Van Gogh's IQ Score Stand?

Vincent Van Gogh's IQ of 165 places him in a rarefied echelon. His intellectual abilities surpass those of 99.9993% of the population. This remarkable score qualifies him for membership in the world's most exclusive high-IQ societies, including the Epimetheus Society, which demands an IQ in the top 0.003%. Van Gogh's genius, therefore, aligns with the very peak of human intellectual achievement. Such a score is more than a number. It hints at an extraordinary capacity for creativity and complex thought. While Mensa requires a 130 IQ, Intertel a 135, and the Triple Nine Society a 146, Van Gogh's score eclipses these benchmarks with room to spare. His intelligence puts him in a category that very few ever reach, signifying an exceptional mind capable of seeing the world in ways others cannot.

Image by Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel, used under CC BY 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Does Vincent Van Gogh Have The Highest IQ Among Painters?

Vincent Van Gogh, with an IQ of 165, stands among the intellectual giants of the art world. Meanwhile, Leonardo da Vinci's IQ at 180 suggests a mind capable of spanning the realms of art and science with unprecedented ease. Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali are slightly above Van Gogh, each with an IQ of 175. Picasso's genius and Dali's imaginative prowess pushed the boundaries of conventional visual arts into uncharted territories. In contrast Michelangelo's intellect of 145 fueled the Renaissance with iconic sculptures and frescoes, proving that creativity knows no single IQ score. Lastly, Rembrandt's IQ of 110, recognized for his rich detailing, shows that genius transcends numerical values.

Illustration composed of multiple sources: images by KUUNSTKUULTUR under Public Domain, Wellcome Library, London under CC BY 4.0, RMN-Grand Palais under Public Domain, Library of Congress under Public Domain, get directly down under CC BY 2.0, Rijksmuseum under Public Domain / Incorporated into an illustration

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