The National Gallery will be celebrating its 200th birthday by bringing together some of Van Gogh's most spectacular paintings from galleries around the world in this once-in-a-century exhibition.
On display will be paintings from Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, Washington's National Gallery of Art, Philadelphia's Museum of Art, Chicago's Art Institute, plus the best pieces from the National Gallery's own collection, paintings that are rarely seen in public, and many of his most extraordinary drawings.
During his two year stay in Arles and Saint-Rémy Van Gogh revolutionised his use of colour and texture, inspired by the local poets, writers and artists. This decisive period in his career produced masterpieces like Starry Night over the Rhône (1888, Musée d’Orsay), The Yellow House (1888, Van Gogh Museum), Sunflowers (1888, National Gallery), Van Gogh's Chair (1889, National Gallery) and Self-Portrait (1889, National Gallery of Art Washington).
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to marvel at his starry nights, wile away some time in his favourite park, sit under a shady tree in Saint-Rémy, see his swirling clouds and cypress trees swaying in the wind, and peruse his favourite chair and unkempt bed.
What the critics say...
The Guardian: ★★★★★ "Riveting rollercoaster ride from Arles to the stars"; The Telegraph: ★★★★★ "The cornerstone of the Gallery's bicentenary celebrations, Poets & Lovers shows the Dutch master off to breath-taking effect"; The Times: ★★★★★ "This really is a once-in-a--century show"