Van Gogh and Gauguin: Reality and Imagination
Vincent van Gogh Gauguin’s Chair 1888, Oil on canvas, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation) ©Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
“Van Gogh and Gauguin”―for the first time in Japan
Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890), inspired by the world around him, endeavored to transcribe reality through powerful brushwork and bright colors. Paul Gauguin (1848-1903), employing decorative color fields, sought to evince in paintings a world invisible to the eye.
Vincent van Gogh Self-Portrait 1887, Oil on cardboard, Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo ©Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo
Paul Gauguin Self-Portrait 1885, Oil on canvas, Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas ©Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas
Van Gogh, a minister’s son raised in a religious family, and Gauguin, who spent his early childhood in Peru, differed in upbringing, character and expressive style, yet they lived together for two months in Arles, southern France in 1888. Evaluating one another’s work and, at times, arguing heatedly, they found artistic stimulus. This exhibition will trace each artist’s independent development ― from their early careers to their cohabitation in Arles and separate paths thereafter ― and examine the influences they had upon one another.
■Coming to Japan―The two artists’ “harvest” theme masterpieces
This time, “harvest” theme of the two works that Van Gogh and Gauguin were recognized as “masterpiece” in each will be exhibited specially.
Vincent van Gogh The Harvest 1888, Oil on canvas, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation) ©Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
Van Gogh in his letter to his brother Theo, Gauguin In his letter addressed to Emile Bernard, has written confidence for each the work.
Paul Gauguin The Wine Harvest. Human Misery, 1888
Ordrupgaard, Copenhagen
©Ordrupgaard, CopenhagenPhoto: Anders Sune Berg
■ Van Gogh that is drawn by Gauguin, and Gauguin that is drawn by Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh Gauguin’s Chair 1888, Oil on canvas, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation) ©Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
“Gauguin’s Chair” which is painted before the failure of living together by Van Gogh, by the chair that Gauguin was using, the presence of Gauguin himself to sit in there has been represented. It is a valuable work, which is positioned as a symbolic portrait of Gauguin.
Paul Gauguin Sunflowers on an Armchair 1901, Oil on canvas, Foundation E.G.Bührle Collection, Zurich ©Foundation E. G. Bührle Collection, Zurich
Gauguin ordered the sunflower seeds from Europe to Tahiti by asking to friends, and he has completed “Sunflowers on an Armchair”. Sunflower is a favorite motif of Van Gogh, is an important work in his later years of Gauguin drew with conscious of Van Gogh.
Details
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| Event Name | Van Gogh and Gauguin: Reality and Imagination |
|---|---|
| Venue | Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum |
| Dates | October 8, 2016 – December 18, 2016 |
| Note | Closed: Mondays, October 11 (Open the Monday of October 10) |
| Open Hours | 9:30 – 17:30 (Last admission 17:00) Fridays, Octber 22, November 2, 3, 5 9:30 – 20:00 (Last admission 19:30) |
| Admission | Admission(tax included) [Tickets at the door] General ¥1,600 College students ¥1,300 HS students ¥800 Seniors 65+ ¥1,000 [Advance tickets/Group tickets] ※Group rates – 20 or more people |
| Address | 8-36 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo |
| Contact | 03-5405-8686 |