Did you know? ⛰️ Van Gogh used the thick paint in the foreground to capture the overturned clods of earth!

1. Detail of 'Ploughed Fields (‘The Furrows’)', 1888.
2. 'Ploughed Fields (‘The Furrows’)', 1888.

In The Hague, Vincent studied with his cousin-in-law Anton Mauve, an artist. Assigned a still life, he impressed Mauve, who admitted, 'I always thought you were a bore, but now I see that this isn’t so’. Vincent cherished this unconventional compliment. 🖼️ © Kröller-Müller Museum

A fun little detail that you might overlook. 💐 Vincent made three different paintings, with three different bouquets. But did you notice the vase is the same in all three?
1 © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
2 © Musée d’art et d’histoire, Geneva
3 © Kröller-Müller Museum

🔄 Van Gogh did not have much experience with lithography and made a beginner's mistake. The image is mirrored when you make a print, and he forget to take that into account. Oops!

Today marks 150 years of Impressionism! 🎉 Critic Louis Leroy once dismissed such paintings as mere ‘impressions’. He ironically coined the movement's name, which is now celebrated worldwide.
‘Vive l’impressionnisme! Masterpieces from Dutch Collections’, on view from 11 Oct.

Matthew Wong painted to escape from the challenges of daily life. 'Basically, life is hell all around, except for the moments in front of the canvas’, he wrote. Painting opened up a world of beauty and depth, where Wong could retreat from feeling misunderstood and rejected. 🎨

Today is Slow Art Day! ⏳ Let's pause, breathe, and immerse ourselves in a painting, observing each brushstroke. This guided meditation will transport you through Vincent's 'Garden of the Asylum'...
Did it feel too short? 🧘‍♂️Enjoy an extended version here: ow.ly/2HTI50QYMf0

🚂✉️ In Vincent's time, new technologies emerged, making communication via post easier and faster. The Van Goghs shared their lives in lengthy letters. They often included items such as books, cigars and even chocolate, amongst other things.

Vincent's floral journey started in Paris (1886-88). Inspired by French artists, he painted vibrant flower still lifes for sale. The subject was ideal for experiments with new colours and painting techniques. Vincent created over 35 flower still lifes in the summer of 1886. 💐

What a difference! 🎨 Vincent’s Dutch landscapes made in Brabant (NL) were dark in colour and realistically painted. (1) Through time, influenced by diverse art, his style had transformed significantly. The second painting, made from memory in 1890 is much brighter!

A clever use of paint! 🎨 Vincent was aware of the discolouration of certain pigments, so he applied these colours extra boldly. This painting's background was originally much brighter pink. ‘L'Arlésienne’, 1890 © Museu de Arte de São Paulo

Time for a little break. 🕓 Can you find the 10 differences hidden in the second (right) image? Compare it to the original (1), and let’s find out!

Van Gogh: a modern art pioneer? Celebrated for his vibrant colours, strong brushstrokes, and symbolic expressiveness, Van Gogh’s work influenced styles like expressionism and fauvism; modern art would have looked very different without him. 🎨
🖼️ © Minneapolis Institute of Art

Ambition and precision… Vincent created two preliminary studies for 'The Potato Eaters' (seen here) in pursuit of Parisian recognition. Can you spot the changes he made between these studies? 🕵️‍♂️
1 ‘The Potato Eaters’, © Kröller-Müller Museum
2 Study for 'The Potato Eaters'

🍂 Vincent used this painting to show his artist friend Gauguin how much the Japanese prints inspired him. For example, look at the unusual bird’s eye view he uses, that excludes the horizon.
Falling Leaves (Les Alyscamps), 1888 ©Kröller-Müller Museum.

Loving nature 🌳 As a child Vincent often wandered alone on the moors and through the meadows, forests and marshes around his hometown Zundert in Brabant (NL). Here he gathered insects, flowers, eggs, and even bird nests.

Matthew Wong’s dark forest path reflects his deep sadness. He hoped recognition would improve his mental health, but it didn't. He nevertheless kept painting, finding comfort in knowing that Van Gogh had experienced something similar.

A somewhat dark portrait ‘hides’ lots of bright colours! 🎨 Take a closer look at Vincent’s jacket (2). 🔎
Self-Portrait with Glass, 1887

In this depiction of a hospital path in Saint-Rémy, your eyes may be drawn to the figure by the tree. But did you notice the vibrant colours Vincent added within the autumnal palette as well? (2+3).
🖼️ © Kröller Müller Museum

Happy Easter everyone! 🐣🌷 Easter typically involves egg hiding, but these eggs deserve to be on display!
📸 1. 🥚made by Kenzy Turky
📸 2. 🥚made by Lauren Datille
#vangoghinspires