Art News – London: The first major Van Gogh exhibition in London in over 40 years “The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters” at Royal Academy, January 23, 2010 through April 18, 2010

October 15th, 2009


Vincent van Gogh, “Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night” (1888). Via How Stuff Works

Beginning in January 23, 2010, the Royal Academy of Arts will host a landmark exhibition of Vincent van Gogh’s work with a focus on his private correspondence through letters. Over 35 original letters penned by Van Gogh will be showcased in this exhibition along with approximately 65 paintings and 30 accompanying drawings. The letters, as the centerpiece of the exhibition, will tie together the principal themes found in the actual artwork.

Related Links:
The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters [Royal Academy of Arts]
Van Gogh’s letters: the definitive edition [The Art Newspaper]
What Van Hogh’s letters reveal of his life [Financial Times]
The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters [Art Museum Journal]


Vincent van Gogh, “Van Gogh’s Room at Arles” (1889). Via Scituate.


Vincent van Gogh, “Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear” (1889). Via The Art Wolf.


Vincent van Gogh, “Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers” (1888). Via The Artist Vincent Van Gogh.

This is the first major Van Gogh exhibition in London in over 40 years.  The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has contributed twelve paintings which will play a central role in the exhibition. Other lenders include The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles along with several others.


Vincent van Gogh, “Self Portrait” (1889). Via Art Quotes.


Vincent van Gogh, “Starry Night Over the Rhone” (1888). Via Art Quotes.

Vincent van Gogh was born in Zundert in the southern Netherlands in 1853. As the second of six children born to a Protestant pastor, he initiated his art career by working for an art dealing firm in The Hague and London. When Van Gogh turned 27, his ten-year artistic career began. His career was cut tragically short by suicide in 1890, although his work during this time period was nothing short of prolific. In the course of his lifetime, he completed over 1,200 drawings and 800 paintings.


Vincent van Gogh, “The Langlois Bridge at Arles” (1888). Via Art Quotes.


Vincent van Gogh, “A Pair of Shoes” (1887). Via Art Quotes.


Vincent van Gogh, “The Church at Auvers” (1890). Via Art Quotes.


Vincent van Gogh, “Portrait of Joseph Roulin” (1888). Via Art Quotes.