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The exhibition to prove the literary skills of Van Gogh

Art and literary works of renowned Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh are the main topics of the exhibition titled “Van Gogh’s letters: The artist speaks”. This new exhibition will prove that Van Gogh was also a literary giant as the research of vast body of correspondence proves.

An imposing six-volume book collection has been published which includes a total of 902 letters written and received by the Impressionist painter between 1872 and 1890, the year he committed suicide at the age of 37. It took 15 years of extensive study by the Dutch researchers to develop this book.

The exhibition will display 893 letters written by Van Gogh and 83 addressed to him until January 3. The majority, composed in Dutch and French, are to his younger brother Theo, others to friends and fellow members of the 19th century post-Impressionist painting movement like Paul Gauguin and Emile Bernard.

“Van Gogh was a hero of modern art, and has also left behind a monument of literature,” Axel Ruger, the director of the Van Gogh Museum, said at a press launch of the exhibition.

“Lots of people say this is literature, and I can agree with that,” Hans Luijten, a researcher at the Van Gogh museum, said adding, “He’s a great writer. He knows how to use style. Once you start reading, you can’t stop.”

“Van Gogh made little sketches of his works. They’re beautiful to look at. They’re also a step in the creative process, which is very interesting,” said researcher Nienke Bakker adding, “You can compare them to the actual paintings that he made the sketches of. And they are absolutely one of the remarkable things in these letters.”

The letters indicate that Van Gogh, often thought to be little appreciated during his lifetime, was respected by his peers and received a stipend of 200 francs per month from his brother for the last six years of his life.”