Last week the Van Gogh Exhibition opened and the show represents the largest collection of the Artist's work in nearly a decade. The show features some of his most famous work including Starry Night on the Rhône. The exhibition also looks at the British artists who were inspired by Van Gogh, including Francis Bacon, David Bomberg and more which I did not know about the show at first. This was a welcomed surprise as it was great to see how other artist had been influenced by his vision, whether this was through colour, mood or subject matter.
Poster advertising the last Van Gogh exhibition @ Tate
Painting by Van Gogh
I've noticed that with recent exhibitions the Tate have started the mimic the work with how they display it through painting the walls certain colours other than a traditional white wall. This has been done in the recent Bonnard and Franz West exhibition at Tate Modern. I think this a strong progression with making the work more interactive and allowing the viewer to pick up on certain details of the painting that they may have missed. It shows a new confidence from the institution and makes the work more playful and I think engaging. They are selective about how they do it though. the coloured walls almost acting as accents in the space.
Still Life by Van Gogh
Drawing by Harold Gilman
I am so pleased that numerous drawings by Van Gogh and accompanying artists have been displayed. I first saw Van Gogh's drawings in the flesh at the Courthauld Institute in London, in my first year of studying BA Drawing. We were given the opportunity to see a private collection. It was such an experience to be able to see the work in a more intimate setting but appreciate the marks without glass. I've always been influenced by Van Gogh's mark making and how be builds up landscapes. This was another favourite example of drawing by Harold Gilman (ink on paper) that depicts a tree built up using suggestive marks. The texture of this piece in particular was so poetic and the marks danced around the structure of the tree.
The Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh
Some of his most famous works can be seen on display, which is great but the show was packed so it made some work difficult to appreciate.
Drawing by Van Gogh
Van Gogh's drawing characteristic and line is full of body and movement. There is a strong confidence with the boldness and depth of line. However it is soft and fluid at depicting an organic chaos.
Detail of a drawing by Vincent Van Gogh
Painting by Francis Bacon
Detail of a painting by Francis Bacon
In one of the last rooms of the exhibition there are three large scale paintings put on one wall by Francis Bacon. This was one of my favourite pieces if the show because it's quite different to his usual work. While is demands the room, the confidence is not as intimidating as his usual work. The confidence comes through the large gesture of marks and scale. Hints of Van Gogh are emulated through how texture has been created and depth with colour.
The show is on until the start of August and can be seen @ Tate Britain in London.
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