Van Gogh Museum: A Review

The museum dedicated to the father of post-Impressionism, Vincent van Gogh, in Amsterdam, of Netherlands, his hometown, was founded by his nephew, Vincent Willem van-Gogh. The museum exhibits works of his lifetime, including several notable collections, and also introduces the artist’s journey into art through his family and letters and significant life encounters. 

Brotherhood between Vincent and Theo & Artistic Influences 

At the age of 27, Vincent started his journey as an artist with the support of his younger brother, Theo van Gogh. His brother supported him both mentally and financially throughout his artistic career. The two shared a common interest in keeping prints and paintings that they had found inspiring and interesting. When Vincent started his artistic career, the two communicated through letters. Theo would often write words of encouragement for Vincent, who at times struggled. He has shown his support not only emotionally, but also financially by covering his living and art expenses, lifting him from financial stress and mental burdens. This strong brotherly bond has made it possible for Vincent to focus on creating and further empowered him in developing his independent style. 

In addition to prints and paintings that they kept, Vincent had especially shown great interest in Japanese prints, and surely drawn inspiration from Impressionists, Realists and Naturalists. 

Practicing the use of colour 

Van Gogh's red lacquered box with balls of wool, 19th century (Image taken at the Van Gogh Museum)

In experimenting with colours and contrast, as well as reducing the use of paint, Vincent kept the box of wool as a reference. This also served as evidence of how he came up with emotive use of colour combinations. He would choose mixtures that allow colours to intensify each other. I found this particular approach useful and clever. 

Memorable pieces by Vincent van Gogh

The following two paintings are examples of Realism influences, where Vincent painted daily objects, scenarios and ordinary people. Two memorable pieces that were unique subjects that he had drawn were about potatoes.

Baskets of Potatoes (1885) by Vincent van Gogh (Image taken at the Van Gogh Museum)

This first painting, Baskets of Potatoes, is a still life painting. Heavy starchy tubers of the plant are symbolically painted in depictions of poor peasants. In earthy tones of brown, green and yellows, thick brushwork portrays a sense of brutality and roughness.

The Potato Eaters (1885) by Vincent van Gogh (Image taken at the Van Gogh Museum)

Meanwhile, this second painting, The Potato Eaters, is a view of an entire family who were eating potatoes under a dim light. They could only afford the vegetables rich in carbohydrates that are a result of their manual labour. This humble meal shared among the working class was highlighted by the figures’ rugged features and the somber realism with earthy, muted tones. Van Gogh, in his letters to his brother Theo, wrote, he wanted to give the idea of a wholly different way of life from theirs through this piece of painting. 

Flowering Plum Orchard (after Hiroshige) (1887) by Vincent van Gogh (Image taken at the Van Gogh Museum)

This is an example of painting influenced by Japanese woodblock prints. The use of bold colour combinations in painting natural objects like trees and flowers is commonly seen in Japanese prints. Besides, the objects are more flat and depicted in simplicity. However, depth and movement are created in the use of the perspective subjects and the intentional cropping. The placement of the most frontal trees has branch splitting in revelation of orchards behind. 

Carrying on the legacy after Vincent’s death

After Vincent died in 1890, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, like her late husband, Theo (little brother of Vincent), was fully supportive of Vincent and his artistic devotion. She plays a crucial role in preserving his drawings, paintings and letters. Publishing letters between Vincent and Theo established Vincent’s reputation as well as his struggles, artistic process, and stories. The images below show how she admired Vincent’s work and proof of her pivotal role in building him as a major influence in art history. 

Vincent Willem van Gogh (nephew of Vincent van Gogh), Johanna van Gogh-Bonger (widow of Theo van Gogh) and Johan Cohen Gosschalk (little brother of Vincent) (Image taken at the Van Gogh Museum)

This collection of art within the picture is displayed in the museum. While Johanna strategically introduced Vincent’s work to art dealers and exhibited to promote him and increase visibility, she had also kept her favourite pieces, valuing pieces that had sentimental significance.

For more information, read on https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en.