Van Gogh's Imaginary Museum Exploring the Artist's Inner World

by Stolwijk, Chris; Van Heugten, Sjraar; Jansen, Leo

• ISBN13: 9780810945760
• ISBN10: 0810945762
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-05-01
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Summary

This lush volume accompanies an important exhibition opening in February 2003 at the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Vincent van Gogh. It brings together the paintings that inspired him--by such masters as Rembrandt and Rubens, Corot and Courbet, Monet and Gauguin--with dozens of his own works, creating an "imaginary museum" that reveals a fascinating dialogue between the artist and his art-historical predecessors. The book begins with lavishly illustrated essays by renowned Van Gogh specialists that focus on a range of subjects, from his aesthetic philosophy to his everyday working methods. Then follows the "imaginary museum" itself--170 reproductions of works by Van Gogh and those who influenced him, most accompanied by fascinating related excerpts from the artist's correspondence. Van Gogh is one of the most popular of artists. This book offers a new look at his work--from the artist's own point of view.

Table of Contents

Vincent van Gogh's belief in art as consolation

Van Gogh's nature

Van Gogh's teachers

An avid reader - Van Gogh and literature

'Christ, this great artist' - Van Gogh's socio-religious canon of art

Van Gogh's taste for reality, on earth as it is in heaven

On rustics and labourers: Van Gogh and 'the people'

'Rummaging among my woodcuts - Van Gogh and the graphic arts

Vincent van Gogh and the avant-garde: colleagues, competitors, friends

Working in black-and-white and colour: Van Gogh's regard for tonality and technique

Notes

Bibliography

Catalogue

Chronology

Checklist

Lenders

Index

Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.