Van Gogh National Gallery exhibition receives starry reviews
Critics Praise Van Gogh Exhibition Highly
A fresh exhibition featuring Vincent Van Gogh at the National Gallery in London has garnered outstanding praise from reviewers.
Publications like The Guardian, The Telegraph, Time Out, and The Times all highly recommended the exhibition, with every reviewer giving it a perfect five-star rating.
The exhibition starts on September 14 and showcases over 60 artworks created by the Dutch painter who passed away at the age of 37 in 1890.
The Times described it as a "rare show of the century," while The Guardian referred to it as an "exciting journey from Arles to the heavens."
Musée d'Orsay, distributed by RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt
It showcases Van Gogh's "Starry Night over the Rhône," created in 1888.
La Berceuse is shown alongside two of Van Gogh’s sunflower paintings as part of a three-piece set.
The exhibition, titled Poets and Lovers, features a Sunflowers painting that hasn't left the United States since it was purchased in 1935.
This piece is one of a trio of artworks being showcased together. It features two Sunflower paintings flanking La Berceuse, which depicts a nurturing figure at the center.
The way it's displayed is important because Van Gogh recommended this arrangement to his brother, Theo, prior to his passing.
Dr. Gabriele Finaldi, the head of the National Gallery, mentioned that this exhibition is the first in the gallery's history solely focused on Van Gogh. He highlighted the remarkable generosity of museums and collectors in lending outstanding paintings for this event.
In her assessment, Laura Freeman from the Times expressed her usual doubts about exhibitions that claim to be "once-in-a-century." However, she also remarked, "In this instance, the excitement is warranted."
"This exhibition is wonderfully curated and showcases an incredibly unique perspective," she expressed.
The artworks don't just encourage you to observe them; they surprise you and insist that you pay attention.
Jonathan Jones from The Guardian also praised the performance in a five-star review, noting that the "bold" production truly "appreciates him as he should be."
"Van Gogh is really the first modernist who completely defies all conventions, and he continues to become more extreme in his approach," he stated.
Gothenburg Art Museum / Hossein Sehatlou
The Olive Grove is borrowed from the Gothenburg Museum of Art.
Eddy Frankel from Time Out stated, "What’s the maximum amount of light you can incorporate into a painting? How much emotion—be it love, despair, hope, or anxiety—can be expressed? When it comes to Vincent Van Gogh, the answer is limitless."
"This captivating display of vibrant, emotional artwork features creations from the final two years of his life, a period during which he lived in Provence, redefined his approach to painting, and experienced a mental unraveling," he noted.
He summed it up by saying, "This isn’t about capturing light like the Impressionists or depicting reality in a literal way. It's not a straightforward representation; instead, it focuses on conveying emotion, and that’s what makes it valuable: it carries meaning."
Alastair Sooke from The Telegraph likened the exhibition to a lively music experience, suggesting that the artwork acts like catchy tunes that quickly draw you to the dancefloor.
He went on to say: "The exhibition also celebrates the centenary of the gallery's purchase of Van Gogh's vibrant Sunflowers (1888). Thanks to the impressive efforts of the curators, Cornelia Homburg and Christopher Riopelle, who have brought together an amazing selection of 61 pieces, including at least eight from private collections, this showcase highlights a pivotal moment in the career of the 19th-century Dutch artist."
"Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers" will be on display at the National Gallery in London starting September 14th.
