Van Gogh was not always a painter; although many say he realized his artistic potential early, he did not seriously consider dedicating his life to it (de Grausen, Eurie). There is little information about the artist's first fifteen years, but it is possible to discover the basics: after a few years of training in Holland, he left his studies at the age of 15 and never returned. In 1869, he joined a firm 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 Holland for seven years, after which he was transferred to the London office. Enamored of the different climate of London, Vincent stayed there for two years, during which he visited various galleries, admiring British artists and writers. Transferred for the second time (this time in 1875 to Paris), van Gogh began to see that his life was turning into boredom; he then left Goupil & Cie and visited London. Vincent van Gogh's instability in this work was the first sign indicating failure