Van Gogh was not always a painter; although many claim that he realized his artistic potential very early in life, he did not seriously consider devoting his life to it (de Grausen, Eurie). Little information is known about the artist's first fifteen years, but it is possible to know the essentials: after a few years of study in Holland, he abandoned his studies at the age of 15 and n never comes back. In 1869, he joined a company of art dealers in The Hague, called Goupil & Cie. (The van Gogh family had been involved in the art world for many years: both of Vincent's uncles, Cornelius and (Vin)Cent were art dealers, as was, of course, Vincent's brother, Theo .) Vincent kept his job in the Netherlands for seven years, after which he transferred to the London office. In love with the different climate of London, Vincent stayed there for two years, during which he visited various galleries, admiring British artists and writers. After being transferred a second time (this time in 1875 and to Paris), van Gogh began to realize that his life was turning into boredom; he therefore left Goupil & Cie and revisited London. Vincent van Gogh's instability in this profession is the first sign of failure.