As I stepped into the National Gallery’s first-ever Van Gogh exhibition, the words of the Doctor to Vincent in that touching “Doctor Who” episode echoed in my mind: “The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant.” Standing before these masterpieces, I felt the profound truth of those words – Van Gogh’s art remains one of the very good things that continues to touch lives centuries after its creation.
The Sunflowers Reunion
The exhibition’s centerpiece is nothing short of historic – the first reunion of the Philadelphia and London Sunflowers since they sat together in Van Gogh’s studio in 1889. Seeing these two masterpieces flanking the Boston “La Berceuse” portrait creates the triptych that Van Gogh himself envisioned but never saw realized. The vibrancy of those yellows, still electric after all these years, seems to pulse with life. Standing before them, you can almost feel the heat of the Provençal sun that inspired them.
The curators have thoughtfully positioned the paintings to maximize natural light while protecting the artworks, and the effect is stunning. The subtle differences between the two Sunflowers versions become apparent – the Philadelphia version, painted five months after the London one, shows Van Gogh’s evolution in technique and color choices.
A Blockbuster Exhibition
This is undoubtedly the exhibition event of 2024, celebrating both the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary and the centenary of their acquisition of their own Sunflowers. The popularity of the exhibition cannot be overstated – even with timed entry slots, the rooms can get quite crowded, especially around the iconic works. I’d strongly recommend booking well in advance through the National Gallery website and perhaps aiming for early morning or late afternoon slots when the crowds might be thinner.
Journey Through the Rooms
The exhibition’s eight rooms are thoughtfully arranged to tell the story of Van Gogh’s artistic development during his crucial time in Arles and Saint-Rémy. The progression through the spaces feels natural and revealing:
Room 1 introduces us to Van Gogh’s arrival in Arles and his initial responses to the landscape.
Room 2 focuses on the Yellow House and his early work there.
Room 3 is dedicated to the Sunflowers and associated works.
Room 4 explores the Poet’s Garden concept.
Rooms 5 and 6 delve into his time at Saint-Rémy.
Room 7 showcases his later works and their influence.
Room 8 provides a powerful conclusion with some of his final masterpieces.
The Poet’s Garden and Saint-Rémy
The section devoted to the “Poet’s Garden” is particularly moving. Van Gogh’s transformation of the public park in front of the Yellow House into an imagined space where Renaissance poets might stroll shows his remarkable ability to infuse ordinary places with profound meaning. The paintings here vibrate with color and emotional resonance.
The Saint-Rémy section is perhaps the most affecting. Seeing the progression of works from his time at the asylum, from the euphoric early garden paintings to the later, more troubled pieces, provides insight into his changing mental state. Yet even in his darkest moments, his artistic genius shined through, creating works of extraordinary beauty and power.
Technical Brilliance and Artistic Vision
The exhibition does an exceptional job of highlighting Van Gogh’s technical brilliance and artistic vision. The curators have included preliminary sketches and studies alongside finished works, showing his working process. The attention to his use of color, particularly his revolutionary approach to complementary colors, is fascinating. You can see how he built up his distinctive impasto technique, creating surfaces that seem to move with energy.
Practical Tips for Visiting
- Book well in advance – Members can book from June 6, while general tickets go on sale June 27, 2024
- Allow at least 2-3 hours to properly appreciate the exhibition
- The audio guide is worth the extra cost, providing valuable context and insights
- Consider visiting during off-peak hours to avoid the largest crowds
- The exhibition shop has some excellent books and prints – worth budgeting for
- Take breaks between rooms – there’s a lot to absorb, and museum fatigue is real
- Photography is permitted without flash, but try to be considerate of other visitors
Cultural Impact
Like that memorable “Doctor Who” episode, this exhibition reminds us why Van Gogh’s work continues to resonate so powerfully with modern audiences. His ability to see and capture the extraordinary in the ordinary, to infuse everyday scenes with deep emotional and spiritual significance, speaks to us perhaps even more strongly today than it did in his own time.
The exhibition runs until January 19, 2025, but given its significance and popularity, I wouldn’t wait too long to book tickets. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see so many masterpieces together and to understand the deep poetry and love that informed Van Gogh’s vision of the world.
For art lovers, this exhibition is nothing short of essential viewing. For everyone else, it’s a chance to understand why Van Gogh’s work has such enduring power to move and inspire. In the end, like the Doctor showing Vincent his legacy, this exhibition demonstrates how art can transcend time to touch hearts and minds across centuries.
Here’s a selection of more pictures from the exhibition:
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.