21 February - 24 May 2020
People throughout the world recognize Vincent van Gogh - the man with the red beard and intense expression. Our image of the artist has been primarily shaped by his self-portraits.
In the 19th century painters made self portraits to practice, experiment, or to set out their identity. They also made portraits of one other, often as a token of friendship.
The spring exhibition In the Picture tells stories about identity and image, in 75 portraits.
The self-portraits of Vincent van Gogh are the thread running through this exhibition.
Van Gogh paints his famous Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear in 1889. In this work, Vincent portrays himself as being both vulnerable and strong. Things were difficult, yet he continued to paint.
Image and identity
In the Picture shows that a portrait says more than you may initially think. Is it about a good resemblance, expressing the inner self or rather about defining an image? Like people nowadays carefully think about how they present themselves, for example when taking seflies, so did the 19th century painters. What do we show of ourselves? What not? Such considerations are of all times.Major names and new faces
The exhibition features an outstanding selection of works by major names and new faces. The portraits of Vincent van Gogh are united with artists’ portraits (1850-1920) by painters including Berthe Morisot, Gustave Courbet, Paul Cézanne, Edvard Munch and Helene Schjerfbeck.In addition, modern and contemporary artists inspired by Van Gogh, such as Francis Bacon and Guillaume Bruère respond to his self-portraits.
one might say – but it’s also brand new.”
Vincent van Gogh
5-6 September 1889
(read the full letter)
