Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers 2024
"In a painting I'd like to say something consoling, like a piece of art music" The National Gallery delves into the truly exceptional world of Van Gogh in this exciting exhibition.
The National Gallery in London is marking its 200th anniversary with a truly extraordinary event—a new Van Gogh exhibition that brings together some of the artist's most iconic works, alongside pieces that have never been lent or displayed publicly before. This new exhibition is a major celebration of both the gallery’s rich history and the profound impact of Van Gogh's legacy on the art world.
As part of the bicentenary festivities, this exhibition showcases masterpieces such as Sunflowers and La Berceuse side by side, but what makes it truly exceptional is the exhibition goes beyond being a simple overview of the artist's career; it celebrates Van Gogh as an immensely ambitious and serious artist, highlighting the defining achievements and depth of his creative process.
Poets and Lovers
Rather than just presenting his work chronologically, the exhibition delves into the core of what makes Van Gogh’s art so powerful—his masterful use of motifs and his ability to convey profound emotion through his depictions of the world.
At the heart of the exhibition is a remarkable triptych featuring two of the artist's iconic Sunflower paintings, placed alongside La Berceuse in a grouping that forms the focal point of the entire show. The way these works are presented together creates a powerful sequence.
Van Gogh envisioned this grouping as a source of comfort and suggested by the curator, this grouping would ‘bring consolation to sailors at sea’. The carefully curated triptych captures the essence of Van Gogh’s ability to transmit emotion through his art.
Van Gogh’s choice of locations in his paintings reflects his unique interpretations of space, with each setting characterised by its distinct emotional atmosphere. His paintings, while often infused with his emotions, can also be independent of his mental state. They evoke a universal emotional response, inviting viewers to experience the spaces he painted not just visually, but emotionally as well.
An honourable mention in the exhibition is Van Gogh's incredible series of drawings of the Ruins of the Abbey of Montmajour. They offer a fascinating glimpse into his inventive and exploratory process. These drawings are more than simple studies of an ancient structure—they reflect Van Gogh’s imaginative reworking of the ruins into romanticised environments, revealing an element of his artistry often overshadowed by his paintings.
Ultimately, Van Gogh’s ability to create pictures that transmit emotion is at the heart of this exhibition. By focusing on the symbolic power of his motifs and his profound interpretations of the spaces he painted, the National Gallery celebrates Van Gogh’s serious artistic ambition and his unmatched ability to evoke emotion through art. This exhibition offers a deeper understanding of the artist’s emotional intensity and the rich, layered meanings behind his most celebrated works.
Open 14 September 2024 – 19 January 2025
Free for members and £24 for standard admission
Tickets are now available, booking through to 13 October for non-members.
