The Van Gogh exhibition at the Château d’Auvers, (Val-d’Oise, just north of Paris), has attracted around 45,000 visitors and is now being extended for another year, from October 19, 2024 to November 2, 2025, giving everyone a chance to see it.
In order for additional works to be hung, the exhibition will be closed from September 30 to October 18, 2024.
‘Van Gogh, Les Derniers Voyages’ gathers some of the artist’s most loved works, including the iconic Sunflowers, as well as works by artists working alongside him, and through twelve themed rooms traces the sources of his inspiration, his family and his relationships with his family and other artists.
Life in Auvers
“Van Gogh spent the last two months of his life in Auvers,” says the director of the Château d’Auvers, Delphine Travers. “We are exploring this strong link by concentrating on the last four years of his life, which he spent here, in Paris, Arles, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.”
Van Gogh was attracted to the village of Auvers by its chocolate box prettiness, proximity to Paris (just one hour by train), the beautiful surrounding countryside, and the peace and quiet he needed to preserve his fragile mental health.
A self-portrait by Vincent Van GoghMusée Van Gogh, Amsterdam
He was incredibly prolific during this period, producing more than 75 paintings in 70 days.
The village of Auvers has always attracted artists including Pissaro – who had a studio in nearby Pontoise – and Cézanne, who painted various famous views of the village. The unspoiled village and bucolic scenery still attract landscape painters.
“The exhibition uses all sorts of media, and it is important to note that the factual content has all been verified by experts. Some of his most famous works are reproduced, others are originals," said Mrs Travers.
"There are also large projections of artworks on the walls, making it immersive. The daughter of the inn where he stayed was interviewed at length by a journalist in the 1960s and a recording of the entire interview is included in the exhibition.”
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Theo Van Gogh and other artists
The displays aim to illustrate Van Gogh’s working process, his vision of the world, and his artistic development in the context of his life and contact with other artists.
No exploration of Van Gogh’s life is complete, however, without mentioning his almost symbiotic relationship with his brother Theo, who supported Vincent emotionally and financially all his life.
“Theo died of natural causes just six months after Vincent Van Gogh shot himself in July 1890, and although he was originally interred in Holland, his widow arranged for his remains to be transferred to Auvers and the brothers are both buried in the cemetery here.”
The museum features both originals and high-quality reproductionsBrossais Catherine
The exhibition also presents other artists, who were contemporaries or who were painting the same subjects, or who inspired Van Gogh.
“We are adding an original work by Monticelli and female painter Léonide Bourges, who was a student of the landscape painter Charles-François Daubigny, whose studio can be visited in Auvers," said Mrs Travers.
“We don’t know whether Van Gogh and Bourges met or not, but they both painted the church in Auvers, and we know he appreciated her work.”
Visiting
The Château d’Auvers is itself worth visiting, with its stunning Italianate architecture, carefully restored interiors and beautifully laid out Italian style gardens and terraces.
Van Gogh, Les Derniers Voyages, at the Château d’Auvers runs from October 19, 2024 to November 2, 2025.
It is advisable to buy tickets online in order to skip the entrance queues, but tickets are available at the door for people who do not mind queuing.
Check the website before visiting as there will be an accompanying programme of guided tours, lectures, dance performances, plays and workshops for all the family.
