Barbara Stok

Barbara Stok was born on 24 February 1970 in Groningen, Netherlands. She is best known for her graphic novel *Vincent*, a warmly observed biographical work on Vincent van Gogh that earned international acclaim. Stok entered comics in the late 1990s, with her first credited work appearing in 1998. Over the next three decades, she built a reputation for clear, expressive linework and a gentle, humanistic storytelling style, often blending humor with philosophical reflection. Her signature work includes *De filosoof, de hond en de bruiloft* (a collaboration with writer Jeroen de Jongh) and the long-running Dutch comic *Jan, Jans en de kinderen*, for which she served as artist and writer. She also contributed to the women's magazine *Libelle* and the social commentary series *Je geld of je leven* and *De omslag*. Stok’s *Vincent* won the Stripschapprijs for Best Album in 2013 and was translated into multiple languages, cementing her place as a leading figure in Dutch graphic literature. She continues to create and publish, with credits extending through 2026, and her work remains admired for its quiet empathy and meticulous research.