Kirk Douglas as Vincent Van Gogh

Lust for Life was directed by Vincente Minnelli and produced by John Houseman. The film stars Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh, James Donald as his brother Theo, Pamela Brown, Everett Sloane and Anthony Quinn, who won an Oscar for his performance as Van Gogh’s fast friend and rival Paul Gauguin. It was released in 1956.

1955 — Kirk Douglas poses beside a self-portrait of Vincent Van Gogh, painted by the artist in 1886-1887  — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

France, 1955 — Actor Kirk Douglas portraying the artist Vincent Van Gogh in the film “Lust For Life”. — image by Frank Scherschel