In an extraordinary move, the National Gallery has announced it will open its doors for an all-night viewing session of the phenomenally successful “Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” exhibition during its final weekend. Art enthusiasts and night owls will have a rare opportunity to view Van Gogh’s masterpieces in the quiet hours of the night, but they’ll need to act fast – tickets go on sale this morning, January 9th.
These tickets will sell out very quickly!
The special overnight opening, running from 9pm on Friday, January 17th until 10am on Saturday, January 18th, marks only the second time in the Gallery’s history that it has remained open through the night. The last time was for the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition in 2012, highlighting the exceptional nature of this opportunity.
With over 280,000 visitors already through the doors and regular tickets for the final weekend completely sold out since mid-December, this overnight session represents the last chance for many to see this groundbreaking exhibition before it closes on January 19th, 2025.
Sir Gabriele Finaldi, the Gallery’s Director, drew an evocative parallel between this nocturnal viewing opportunity and the practices of some of Britain’s most celebrated artists. Luminaries such as Lucian Freud, David Hockney, and Francis Bacon were known to visit the Gallery in the early hours seeking inspiration. Freud, in particular, had a deep connection with the Gallery, famously stating, “I use the gallery as if it were a doctor. I come for ideas and help.”
The exhibition, the National Gallery’s first dedicated to Van Gogh, features over 60 works borrowed from museums and private collections worldwide. It uniquely focuses on the artist’s imaginative transformations, offering visitors a fresh perspective on the beloved painter’s work.
For those unable to secure tickets to the overnight viewing, there’s still a chance to experience the exhibition through “Exhibition on Screen: Van Gogh Poets and Lovers,” a 90-minute film showing in cinemas across the UK and Europe. The film offers intimate views of the artworks alongside insights from curators Cornelia Homburg and Christopher Riopelle, art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston, and artist Lachlan Goudie.
How to Book:
- Tickets for the overnight viewing go on sale Thursday morning, January 9th
- Book through the National Gallery’s website or box office
- Consider becoming a National Gallery Member for priority access
- Booking immediately is strongly advised given the exhibition’s popularity
You can book the tickets here.
The overnight opening is part of an exciting year for the National Gallery, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2024. Upcoming exhibitions include “Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350” (March 8th – June 22nd, 2025), and the first UK exhibition devoted to Mexican artist José María Velasco (March 29th – August 17th, 2025).
Don’t miss this last chance to see “Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers” in this unique nocturnal setting. With the exhibition’s overwhelming popularity and the limited nature of these special overnight tickets, immediate booking is essential for anyone hoping to secure this rare opportunity.
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.