Exhibition
Van Gogh's Sunflowers
A Symphony in Blue and Yellow
Sunflowers (Detail), 1889, by Vincent van Gogh (Philadelphia Museum of Art: The Mr. and Mrs. Carroll S. Tyson, Jr., Collection, 1963-116-19) and Sunflowers (Detail), 1888, Vincent van Gogh, Oil on canvas, The National Gallery. Photo: © The National Gallery, London
When
Opens June 6
Where
Main Building, Colket Gallery 251
About
In August 1888, Vincent van Gogh began painting sunflowers spilling from earthenware pots set against yellow and blue backgrounds. Intended to decorate Paul Gauguin’s bedroom in the four-room house that Van Gogh rented in Arles, the flowers fascinated Van Gogh and soon took on greater dimensions.
More than a century later, "Van Gogh’s Sunflowers: A Symphony in Blue and Yellow" will bring together two sunflower paintings. One completed in August 1888, on loan from the National Gallery, London, and one completed in January 1889, from our collection, will be shown together to reveal Van Gogh’s artistic practice at the time. The display will consider how the artist used color and brushwork to create expressive effects, which still inspire artists – and art enthusiasts – today.
Curator
Jennifer Thompson, The Gisela and Dennis Alter Curator of European Painting, Curator of the John G. Johnson Collection, and Head of European Art
Support
"Van Gogh’s Sunflowers: A Symphony in Blue and Yellow" is made possible by the Gloria and Jack Drosdick Fund for Special Exhibitions and the Harriet and Ronald Lassin Fund for Special Exhibitions.
Image Gallery
Sunflowers,1888, Vincent van Gogh, Oil on canvas, 92.1 × 73 cm, Bought, Courtauld Fund, 1924, The National Gallery. Photo: © The National Gallery, London