Vincent Van Gogh, Almond Blossom, 1890, oil on canvas. 28.8 x 36.4 inches (73.3 x 92.4 cm). Image courtesy of Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation).
How Vincent Became Van Gogh
Exploring the role of Van Gogh’s family in his meteoric rise to fame
Overview
One of the world’s most enduring artistic legacies, Vincent van Gogh’s global renown was in large part due to the efforts of his family. The world’s understanding of his work would be incomplete and his eponymous museum in Amsterdam would not exist without the tireless efforts of Van Gogh’s brother Theo van Gogh (1857-1891), Theo’s wife Jo van Gogh-Bonger (1862-1925), and their son Vincent Willem van Gogh (1890-1978).
This panel focuses on the impact of the artist’s family on his notoriety and explores how members of the Van Gogh family have contributed to our understanding of Van Gogh’s life and work over the years. It also asks how this contribution has influenced—and continues to influence—how Van Gogh’s work has been collected by private individuals and museums. Does more insight into Van Gogh’s life change how we perceive his paintings and change the value they are ascribed, in more ways than one? Sharing their perspectives on these questions are Lisa Smit, curator of paintings at the Van Gogh Museum, and Vincent Willem van Gogh, Theo van Gogh’s great-grandson.
TEFAF Talks are interactive panel discussions exploring today’s most fascinating topics in the worlds of art, antiques, and design. Paired with leading content partners, these talks showcase the knowledge of leading experts in the broader TEFAF community. This talk is presented in partnership with Apollo Magazine and moderated by Edward Behrens, editor of Apollo Magazine.
Panelists
