Also, his paintings are so thick. Photos don't allow you to see how the paint was applied on top of other paint. Seeing them in person allowed me to understand that Van Gogh attacked his canvas.
What's wild is some of his painting appear to be thick without using a ton of paint. It's amazing to think that most of his work was done in a span of couple years.
Destitute outcast dressed in rags. But he could afford to slather his canvases deep with that pricey oil paint. And don't get me started on storage space. Those paintings take up room.
Maybe he had a trustfund. Maybe he spent 99% on art supplies and 1% on potatoes. I dunno.
"When art critics get together, they discuss color, form, and composition. When artists get together, they discuss where to get a good price on paint." - paraphrasing Picasso
He was not rich, he mostly painted farmers and peasants and never sold anything.
His family, especially his brother Theo, was well off and they sent him an allowance to survive as well as art supplies. (I would not be surprised that they were afraid that, if they send more money he'd spent it on alchool instead of supplies)
As for space, I think he sent most of his paintings to his brother in exchange for the allowance.
Actually he had a brother and other relatives who sponsored him. They knew he had some kind of mental illness and basically kept him at a distance. They loved him, but he was a handful.