Vincent van Gogh Exhibition Marks 200th Anniversary Of National Gallery
September 11, 2024 • Share —
The National Gallery in London is marking its 200th birthday with a significant exhibition featuring the works of Vincent van Gogh, set to open on September 12. Titled "Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers," this exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of the gallery's acquisition of two of Van Gogh's most famous paintings, "Sunflowers" and "Van Gogh's Chair" (1888), which were bought in 1924.
This marks the first occasion that the National Gallery has hosted a complete exhibition centered on Van Gogh’s art. The exhibition highlights his remarkable talent for turning everyday scenes into something remarkable, providing insight into his exceptional artistic journey. Attendees can look forward to viewing more than 50 pieces, including important loans from prestigious places such as the Kröller Müller Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Musée d’Orsay.
The exhibition explores Van Gogh's most significant artworks, especially those produced in Arles and Saint-Rémy during the late 1880s. It will showcase how these locations and the individuals he met influenced his artistic perspective, providing new insights into the inspirations for some of his well-known masterpieces.
A central focus of the "Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers" exhibition will be the way the artist depicted landscapes and portraits. This show will showcase how Van Gogh infused his subjects and environments with deeper significance, transforming the ordinary places he encountered into romantic, idealized images. It will explore how he viewed the public gardens and the grounds of the asylum he painted as spaces meant for lovers and poets, revealing the profound emotional ties between his life experiences and his artistic expression. Curated by Cornelia Homburg and Christopher Riopelle, the exhibition promises to offer a new perspective on Van Gogh’s work during a pivotal stage of his career.
Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853 and passed away in 1890. He is considered a groundbreaking Dutch painter from the Post-Impressionist movement, significantly influencing 20th-century art. Van Gogh originated from Groot-Zundert in the Netherlands. He initially worked as an art dealer and later as a missionary before he began to paint in his late twenties. His early pieces, such as The Potato Eaters, focused on the struggles of rural life, using dark earthy colors to highlight the experiences of the working class with remarkable empathy.
In 1886, Van Gogh relocated to Paris, where he encountered the vibrant movements of Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism. This exposure transformed his artistic style, inspiring him with vivid colors and dynamic brushwork. Some of his notable works from this time include the Sunflowers series and The Café Terrace at Night. Unfortunately, as he spent time in Arles in the South of France, his mental health began to deteriorate. Despite these struggles, he produced some of his most celebrated pieces during this challenging period, such as Starry Night and The Bedroom.
Even with his incredible output as an artist, Van Gogh struggled deeply with mental health issues and faced financial instability throughout his life. In 1890, he tragically took his own life by shooting himself. During his lifetime, he remained largely unnoticed by the art world.
Main Image © Artlyst 2024
Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers September 14, 2024 – January 19, 2025 The National Gallery, Rooms 1-8 Admission fee applies
Reserve your spot now, since tickets are going quickly!
Celebrating 200 Years: An Exhibition at the National Gallery Featuring Vincent van Gogh
