October 9, 2022
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), Self-Portrait, 1887. Oil on artist board, mounted to wood panel. City of Detroit Purchase. Detroit Institute of Arts Detroit, Michigan. Image courtesy of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Calling all Vincent van Gogh enthusiasts! A new exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) opened October 2. “Van Gogh in America celebrates the DIA’s status as the first public museum in the United States to purchase a painting by Vincent van Gogh, his Self-Portrait (1887).” At a time when the artist was largely unknown in the United States, this acquisition helped stimulate American interest in Van Gogh’s work. Private collectors, other institutions, and the general public took notice. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the acquisition, Van Gogh in America brings together 74 original Van Gogh works–including 59 paintings and 15 drawings–some of which have never been exhibited publicly before.
An illustrated, 264-page catalog with essays by the DIA’s own Jill Shaw, exhibition curator, and other Van Gogh scholars accompanies the exhibition. A six-year effort and exclusive to the DIA, Van Gogh in America is a must-see for Van Gogh and Post-Impressionism aficionados.
Make plans now to see this one-of-a-kind exhibition for yourself which runs through January 22, 2023. It’s not to be seen elsewhere. I’ve purchased my ticket and look forward to attending later this month. For more information, go to the exhibition page on the DIA’s website at https://dia.org/events/exhibitions/van-gogh-america.
Vincent Van Gogh (1859-1890), The Starry Night (Starry Night Over The Rhône),1888. Oil on canvas. Image courtesy of the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.