Self-Portrait, 1887, Oil on artist's board, mounted on cradled panel, Courtesy of Art Institute Chicago
Vincent van Gogh, the artist who captured hearts worldwide with his passionate brushstrokes and profound emotional depth, returns to Seoul in a landmark exhibition that will open at the Hangaram Art Museum at the Seoul Arts Center on November 29. This marks the third time that a dedicated Van Gogh exhibition will be held in South Korea, following showcases in 2007 and 2012. Titled "The Great Passion," the exhibition invites visitors to explore Van Gogh’s unique worldview and his journey through art as he sought meaning in his turbulent life.
Curated with an extraordinary selection from the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands, the exhibition boasts over 70 original works. The Kröller-Müller Museum, established in 1938 in Otterlo, is the second-largest holder of Van Gogh’s works globally, after the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The collection is the legacy of Helene Kröller-Müller, an art collector who devoted her life to gathering pieces that reflected Van Gogh’s emotional intensity and dedication to his craft. This exhibition provides South Korean audiences with a rare opportunity to experience these works outside of Europe.
Among the artworks on display are seminal pieces from Van Gogh’s career, showcasing his evolving artistic vision across five critical periods of his life. These include his early works in the Netherlands (1881-1885), the transformative Paris period (1886-1888), the expressive Arles period (1889), his introspective Saint-Rémy period (1889-1890), and his final chapter in Auvers-sur-Oise (1890). This chronological organization allows visitors to witness Van Gogh’s growth as an artist, from his initial dark palette inspired by the plight of the working class to his iconic vibrant hues and dynamic brushstrokes.
The Good Samaritan, 1890, Courtesy of the Hangaram Art Museum
The exhibition features several major works, each carrying unique insights into Van Gogh’s psyche. One of the highlights is the 1887 “Self-Portrait,” painted during his Paris years, which reveals his introspective side through intense color and expressive lines. Also notable is “The Sower,” painted in Arles in 1888, a piece that reflects Van Gogh’s fascination with the cycles of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. Another standout work is “The Good Samaritan” (1890), an homage to Eugène Delacroix’s painting of the same name, created during Van Gogh’s stay at the Saint-Rémy asylum. In this piece, Van Gogh’s empathy for human suffering and his sense of spiritual kinship with the downtrodden are poignantly conveyed.
“The Great Passion” seeks to provide more than just a viewing experience; it is a journey into Van Gogh’s emotional and intellectual depths. The artist’s life was characterized by intense highs and lows, from the initial struggles in the Netherlands to the Parisian days that introduced him to new techniques and mentors, followed by his period of fervent productivity in Arles. This journey, while often marked by despair, was also filled with profound insights into human nature and creativity. For Van Gogh, each brushstroke was an attempt to capture not only what he saw but also what he felt, inviting viewers to see the world through his eyes.
In addition to the paintings, the exhibition also contextualizes Van Gogh’s works with biographical details, letters, and documents that highlight his relationships with his family, friends, and fellow artists. The letters he exchanged with his brother, Theo, are particularly illuminating, revealing Van Gogh’s thoughts on art, spirituality, and the challenges he faced. These artifacts paint a vivid picture of a man who was as compassionate as he was talented, a quality that resonates in his art and endears him to audiences even today.
Potato Eaters, 1885, 28.4x34.1cm, Courtesy of the Hangaram Art Museum
This exhibition also represents a milestone in South Korean art history, as it includes some of the highest-value pieces ever showcased in the country. The decision to bring such invaluable works underscores the deep admiration and respect for Van Gogh’s legacy and South Korea’s growing role as a hub for world-class art exhibitions. Visitors to this exhibition will find themselves immersed in Van Gogh’s universe, from his depictions of peasants and laborers to his vivid interpretations of sunflowers and starry skies.
An impressive feature of the exhibition is its spatial design, which creates an environment conducive to introspection and emotional engagement. Each section of the exhibition space is meticulously crafted to evoke the specific period it represents, allowing visitors to feel like they are stepping into Van Gogh’s world. Soft lighting and carefully chosen backdrops complement the works, enhancing the colors and textures Van Gogh used to such effect.
Willows at Sunset, 1888, 31.6x34.3cm, Courtesy of the Hangaram Art Museum
Through the displayed pieces, visitors will experience the paradox of Van Gogh’s life: a man who struggled with isolation and self-doubt yet produced works of incredible warmth and humanity. His paintings capture both the agony and ecstasy of existence, resonating with audiences who can see fragments of their own experiences within his art. His genius lay not only in his technical skill but in his ability to evoke universal emotions through the everyday subjects he depicted.
In essence, “The Great Passion” is more than an exhibition; it is an homage to a man who, despite overwhelming adversity, found beauty in the world around him and within himself. This exhibition offers South Koreans and visitors the chance to delve into the heart and mind of one of art’s most beloved figures. As Van Gogh once said, “I dream of painting, and then I paint my dream.” In Seoul, his dreams continue to captivate, offering glimpses of a soul that remains as vibrant and compelling as the colors on his canvases.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
Self-Portrait, 1887, Oil on artist's board, mounted on cradled panel, Courtesy of Art Institute Chicago
Vincent van Gogh, the artist who captured hearts worldwide with his passionate brushstrokes and profound emotional depth, returns to Seoul in a landmark exhibition that will open at the Hangaram Art Museum at the Seoul Arts Center on November 29. This marks the third time that a dedicated Van Gogh exhibition will be held in South Korea, following showcases in 2007 and 2012. Titled "The Great Passion," the exhibition invites visitors to explore Van Gogh’s unique worldview and his journey through art as he sought meaning in his turbulent life.
Curated with an extraordinary selection from the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands, the exhibition boasts over 70 original works. The Kröller-Müller Museum, established in 1938 in Otterlo, is the second-largest holder of Van Gogh’s works globally, after the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The collection is the legacy of Helene Kröller-Müller, an art collector who devoted her life to gathering pieces that reflected Van Gogh’s emotional intensity and dedication to his craft. This exhibition provides South Korean audiences with a rare opportunity to experience these works outside of Europe.
Among the artworks on display are seminal pieces from Van Gogh’s career, showcasing his evolving artistic vision across five critical periods of his life. These include his early works in the Netherlands (1881-1885), the transformative Paris period (1886-1888), the expressive Arles period (1889), his introspective Saint-Rémy period (1889-1890), and his final chapter in Auvers-sur-Oise (1890). This chronological organization allows visitors to witness Van Gogh’s growth as an artist, from his initial dark palette inspired by the plight of the working class to his iconic vibrant hues and dynamic brushstrokes.
The Good Samaritan, 1890, Courtesy of the Hangaram Art Museum
The exhibition features several major works, each carrying unique insights into Van Gogh’s psyche. One of the highlights is the 1887 “Self-Portrait,” painted during his Paris years, which reveals his introspective side through intense color and expressive lines. Also notable is “The Sower,” painted in Arles in 1888, a piece that reflects Van Gogh’s fascination with the cycles of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. Another standout work is “The Good Samaritan” (1890), an homage to Eugène Delacroix’s painting of the same name, created during Van Gogh’s stay at the Saint-Rémy asylum. In this piece, Van Gogh’s empathy for human suffering and his sense of spiritual kinship with the downtrodden are poignantly conveyed.
“The Great Passion” seeks to provide more than just a viewing experience; it is a journey into Van Gogh’s emotional and intellectual depths. The artist’s life was characterized by intense highs and lows, from the initial struggles in the Netherlands to the Parisian days that introduced him to new techniques and mentors, followed by his period of fervent productivity in Arles. This journey, while often marked by despair, was also filled with profound insights into human nature and creativity. For Van Gogh, each brushstroke was an attempt to capture not only what he saw but also what he felt, inviting viewers to see the world through his eyes.
In addition to the paintings, the exhibition also contextualizes Van Gogh’s works with biographical details, letters, and documents that highlight his relationships with his family, friends, and fellow artists. The letters he exchanged with his brother, Theo, are particularly illuminating, revealing Van Gogh’s thoughts on art, spirituality, and the challenges he faced. These artifacts paint a vivid picture of a man who was as compassionate as he was talented, a quality that resonates in his art and endears him to audiences even today.
Potato Eaters, 1885, 28.4x34.1cm, Courtesy of the Hangaram Art Museum
This exhibition also represents a milestone in South Korean art history, as it includes some of the highest-value pieces ever showcased in the country. The decision to bring such invaluable works underscores the deep admiration and respect for Van Gogh’s legacy and South Korea’s growing role as a hub for world-class art exhibitions. Visitors to this exhibition will find themselves immersed in Van Gogh’s universe, from his depictions of peasants and laborers to his vivid interpretations of sunflowers and starry skies.
An impressive feature of the exhibition is its spatial design, which creates an environment conducive to introspection and emotional engagement. Each section of the exhibition space is meticulously crafted to evoke the specific period it represents, allowing visitors to feel like they are stepping into Van Gogh’s world. Soft lighting and carefully chosen backdrops complement the works, enhancing the colors and textures Van Gogh used to such effect.
Willows at Sunset, 1888, 31.6x34.3cm, Courtesy of the Hangaram Art Museum
Through the displayed pieces, visitors will experience the paradox of Van Gogh’s life: a man who struggled with isolation and self-doubt yet produced works of incredible warmth and humanity. His paintings capture both the agony and ecstasy of existence, resonating with audiences who can see fragments of their own experiences within his art. His genius lay not only in his technical skill but in his ability to evoke universal emotions through the everyday subjects he depicted.
In essence, “The Great Passion” is more than an exhibition; it is an homage to a man who, despite overwhelming adversity, found beauty in the world around him and within himself. This exhibition offers South Koreans and visitors the chance to delve into the heart and mind of one of art’s most beloved figures. As Van Gogh once said, “I dream of painting, and then I paint my dream.” In Seoul, his dreams continue to captivate, offering glimpses of a soul that remains as vibrant and compelling as the colors on his canvases.
