The two versions of Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” shown in London:
Left – “Sunflowers” (1888), 92.1 × 73 cm. National Gallery, London
Right – “Sunflowers” (1889), 95 × 73 cm. Van Gogh Museum
Vincent van Gogh: “Sunflowers” (1889), 95 × 73 cm.
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
Two versions of Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ in London From 25 January to 27 April 2014, two versions of Vincent van Gogh’s iconic ‘Sunflowers’ are being reunited at the National Gallery, London, for the first time in 65 years.]]>
January 28, 2014, source: National Gallery, London
From 25 January 2014 (until 27 April) the paintings from the National Gallery, London, and the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, can be seen in Room 46 of the Trafalgar Square gallery. This free display will also include the results of scientific research into the two paintings carried out by both institutions. These investigations have revealed insights into how Van Gogh painted his ‘Sunflowers’ and what materials he used – giving us a deeper understanding of the making and meaning of these works of art, and of their relationship to each other.
The paintings are two of the five versions of ‘Sunflowers’ that are now spread around the world (the others currently residing in Tokyo, Munich and Philadelphia). The series dates from 1888, when Van Gogh left Paris to paint in the brilliant sunshine of the South of France. He rented a house in Arles – ‘The Yellow House’ – and invited Paul Gauguin to come and join him so the two artists could paint together. Waiting for Gauguin to arrive, Van Gogh painted a series of pictures of sunflowers to decorate his friend’s bedroom. They were meant as a sign of friendship and welcome, but also of Van Gogh’s allegiance to Gauguin as his artistic leader.
Vincent wrote to his brother Theo in August 1888: “I am hard at it, painting with the enthusiasm of a Marseillais eating bouillabaisse, which won’t surprise you when you know that what I’m at is the painting of some sunflowers. If I carry out this idea there will be a dozen panels. So the whole thing will be a symphony in blue and yellow. I am working at it every morning from sunrise on, for the flowers fade so quickly. I am now on the fourth picture of sunflowers. This fourth one is a bunch of 14 flowers… it gives a singular effect.”
This unprecedented loan from the Van Gogh Museum is testament to the long and fruitful history of collaboration between the two institutions. The National Gallery ‘Sunflowers’ was recently seen in Amsterdam in the exhibition ‘Van Gogh at Work’ (opened 1 May 2013), which marked the re-opening of the Van Gogh Museum following an extensive renovation.
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Two paintings by Van Gogh donated to Museums (news, December 2013)
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