Munch Van Gogh Exhibition at The Van Gogh Museum By Renee Phillips

sk any artist or art Munch: Van Gogh, an exhibition that enthusiast to name their offers a stunning juxtaposition of favorite artists and two major artists. The exhibition invariably Vincent van Gogh which runs through January 17, will spring to mind. As an art 2016 is the first of its kind. It draws Astudent I was enthralled by his life fascinating parallels and similarities and inspired by his artistic between the two artists. Munch: Van contributions. In spite of his lack of Gogh is the result of years of career success during his lifetime, he in-depth collaboration and research is viewed as one of the most by the Van Gogh Museum in influential Post-Impressionist artists Amsterdam and the Munch Museum in to have laid the foundation of Oslo. modern art. Although they never met, Vincent Vincent van Gogh’s legacy lives on at van Gogh (1853-1890) and the the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam Norwegian artist Edvard Munch http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/ (1863-1944) shared similar visions where he continues to have a in their art and life. When viewing prominent impact on the world. The more than a hundred important museum achieves its mission to make works of art by these artists, it is the life and work of this clear that they were kindred spirits. extraordinary artist accessible to as Their art can be characterized as many people as possible and to colorful, emotionally charged and provide them with education and intense. Their paintings The Scream inspiration. In December 2014, the and Sunflowers are among the most museum reported more than 1.6 important cultural icons in art million individuals from around the history. world had visited the museum during that year. Both men were deeply engaged in pursuing profound existential Scores of people have been visiting questions. They were preoccupied

54 Art Munch Van Gogh Exhibition at The Van Gogh Museum By Renee Phillips sk any artist or art Munch: Van Gogh, an exhibition that enthusiast to name their offers a stunning juxtaposition of favorite artists and two major artists. The exhibition invariably Vincent van Gogh which runs through January 17, will spring to mind. As an art 2016 is the first of its kind. It draws Astudent I was enthralled by his life fascinating parallels and similarities and inspired by his artistic between the two artists. Munch: Van contributions. In spite of his lack of Gogh is the result of years of career success during his lifetime, he in-depth collaboration and research is viewed as one of the most by the Van Gogh Museum in influential Post-Impressionist artists Amsterdam and the Munch Museum in to have laid the foundation of Oslo. modern art. Although they never met, Vincent Vincent van Gogh’s legacy lives on at van Gogh (1853-1890) and the the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam Norwegian artist Edvard Munch http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/ (1863-1944) shared similar visions where he continues to have a in their art and life. When viewing prominent impact on the world. The more than a hundred important museum achieves its mission to make works of art by these artists, it is the life and work of this clear that they were kindred spirits. extraordinary artist accessible to as Their art can be characterized as many people as possible and to colorful, emotionally charged and provide them with education and intense. Their paintings The Scream inspiration. In December 2014, the and Sunflowers are among the most museum reported more than 1.6 important cultural icons in art million individuals from around the history. world had visited the museum during that year. Both men were deeply engaged in pursuing profound existential Scores of people have been visiting questions. They were preoccupied

55 with the cycle of birth and death, fear, human suffering, solace, hope and love. To that point several major works of art featured in the exhibition include The Scream, The Sick Child and Madonna by Munch; and Starry Night over the Rhône, Patience Escalier (‘The Peasant’) and Garden of the Asylum by Van Gogh.

In addition to their compelling works of art, the artists’ words also leave an indelible impression on us. They proved they were not only painters, but also writers of letters and literary texts and they frequently connected the two art forms. In this exhibition quotes from both artists

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while Edvard led a long reclusive existence until his death at age 81.

In 1933 Edvard Munch wrote: “During his short life, Van Gogh did not allow his flame to go out. Fire and embers were his brushes during the few years of his life, whilst he burned out for his art. I have thought, and wished – in the long term, with more money at my disposal than he had – to follow in with the cycle of birth and death, adorn the walls of the museum. They the portraits of Edouard Manet. nature and civilization. Munch also his footsteps.” fear, human suffering, solace, hope inspire visitors to write their stories Both artists viewed Manet as an accomplished a congruence among and love. To that point several major on special plaques in the stairwell. important leader in the direction of his series of paintings about life and Indeed both artists endured grave works of art featured in the painting. Furthermore, both artists death which he referred to as his personal losses; however, Vincent exhibition include The Scream, The More similarities between the explored photography and Japanese Frieze of Life. van Gogh and Edvard Munch remain Sick Child and Madonna by Munch; artists are brought to light. Both prints which had noticeable among the world’s most cherished and Starry Night over the Rhône, artists lived in the same influences on their styles and An unfortunate similarity between and respected legends. The Patience Escalier (‘The Peasant’) and neighborhood in Paris (Montmartre) subjects. Vincent and Edvard is they suffered extraordinary impact their art Garden of the Asylum by Van Gogh. and also moved in the same artistic from illness throughout their lives. continues to have on millions are circles. During their respective We know that Vincent and Edvard And, the artists shared the belief celebrated in this major exhibition. In addition to their compelling works periods in Paris, Edvard and Vincent aimed to produce solid, cohesive that if you totally surrendered to Their art has as much influence on of art, the artists’ words also leave each discovered Impressionism and bodies of art that were unified in your artistic passion and devoted the human experience today as it had an indelible impression on us. They Post-Impressionism, the key themes. Van Gogh achieved this in your life to art, you could not lead a on the artists who created it during proved they were not only painters, movements in modern French art at his series of Sunflowers and his ‘normal’ social or love life. Both men their lives. but also writers of letters and the time. collection of art that focused on day were unfulfilled in their personal literary texts and they frequently and night themes. Many of his lives and remained unmarried and For more information visit the Van connected the two art forms. In this Their sources of inspiration were paintings were connected in their childless. Sadly, Vincent committed Gogh Museum website exhibition quotes from both artists also connected by having admired relationship to growth and decay, suicide in 1890 at the age of 37, www.vangoghmuseum.nl/

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