The National Gallery of Victoria’s annual ‘Winter Masterpieces’ series opened this week with another great blockbuster Van Gogh and the Seasons. If you’re lucky enough to be living Melbourne, or to be visiting here before 9 July 2017, then make sure you don’t miss this.
Vincent van GoghDutch 1853–1890A wheatfield, with cypresses early September 1889 Saint-Rémyoil on canvas72.1 x 90.9 cmNational Gallery,LondonBought, Courtauld Fund, 1923 (NG3861)© The National Gallery, London Photograph: GRACIE
Unlike many blockbusters, this exhibition presents the 50 or so works in a concise, simple, clear viewing environment. Each exhibit has its own unadorned wall, and the works are displayed in four screened sections, each devoted to a season so loved by Van Gogh. The affect is so refreshing.
Inside the exhibition Photograph: National Gallery of Victoria
Melancholy autumn is presented in the first section exploring harvests and seed sowing as depicted in one of only a few sketches in the exhibition.
Vincent Van Gogh ‘The Sower’ 1882 The Hague Pencil, brush and ink watercolour P & N de Boer Foundation, Amsterdam Photograph: GRACIE
Moving on to winter the scenes are of peasants digging potatoes and frozen landscapes portray a winter bleakness.
Vincent Van Gogh ‘Planting potatoes’ 1884 Nuenen Oil on canvas. Van der Heydt-Museum, Wuppertal, Germany Photograph: GRACIE
Springtime follows with bursts of colour. Because of the manner in which these paintings are exhibited, it’s possible to view closely the three dimensional affect Van Gogh was able to create through the use of his fingers, a palette knife and bold smears and dabs employed to create relief. It’s sheer genius and you can see this up close. Wow!
Vincent van Gogh Dutch 1853–9 Roses and peonies June 1886 Paris oil on canvas 59.8 x 72.5 cm
Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo © Collection Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, the Netherlands Close up photograph: GRACIE
Vincent van Gogh Dutch 1853–9 Roses and peonies June 1886 Paris oil on canvas 59.8 x 72.5 cm
Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo © Collection Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, the Netherlands
“At present I’m busy with the fruit trees in blossom: pink peach trees, yellow-white pear trees. I follow no system of brushwork at all; I hit the canvas with irregular strokes which I leave as they are”
Vincent Van Gogh Arles 1888
Vincent van Gogh Dutch 1853–90 Orchard bordered by cypresses April 1888 Arles oil on canvas
Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo © Collection Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, the Netherlands
Close up photograph: GRACIE
Vincent van Gogh Dutch 1853–90 Orchard bordered by cypresses April 1888 Arles oil on canvas
Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo © Collection Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, the Netherlands
Photograph: GRACIE
We arrive at summer and the colours explode on the canvas. Wheat sheafs, swirling clouds, cypress trees, and the colour filled fields of southern France are testament to Van Gogh’s love of the seasons and his dedication to the perpetual cycle of nature.
Vincent van Gogh Dutch 1853–90 Wheatfield 1888 Arles oil on canvas 55.2 x 66.7 cm
Honolulu Museum of Art, Hawaii Gift of Mrs Richard A. Cooke and family in memory of Richard A. Cooke, 1946 (377.1)
Photograph: GRACIE
“It requires a certain dose of inspiration, a ray from on high which doesn’t belong to us, to do beautiful things“ Vincent Van Gogh Saint-Remy-de-Provence 1890
Vincent van Gogh Dutch 1853–90 Self-portrait autumn 1887 Paris oil on canvas 44.1 x 35.1 cm F 320, JH 1334
Musée d’Orsay, Paris Donation Jacques Laroche with life interest, 1947 © Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt
Photograph: GRACIE
Other features of the exhibition include a 9 minute film about Van Gogh and material and artworks from his own collection.
Discover more by viewing the attached link to a video prepared by NGV.
Van Gogh and the Seasons from NGV on Vimeo.
Further further information about programs and events click here