The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters

Good exhibition at the Royal Academy bringing together pictures by Van Gogh with his letters.

I loved the fact that most of the labels for the pictures were taken from the letters so instead of an art historian telling you about the works the artist does. You feel a real sense of a dialogue about art particularly as he sold no works in his own life time so all about creating art not selling it.

It is fascinating to watch the works get more vibrant as Van Gogh mature but almost a shock at the end that he kills himself as you don’t really see it coming in the art. In the works I felt a saw quite a cheerful man whose work was still developing.

I loved the portraits and having read “The Yellow House” it was a real treat to see the two matching ‘portraits’ of Van Gogh and Gauguin represented by their chairs.

As a block busting exhibition it was very busy and crowded but breath in, be ready to find your own rhythm and go for it!

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