In the midst of a blockbuster exhibition that has taken the art world by storm, a new documentary film is offering an unprecedented look inside the National Gallery’s Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers show. The film, produced by Exhibition on Screen, not only provides a virtual guided tour of the landmark exhibition but also delves deeper, revealing surprising insights about the iconic post-impressionist master.
Uncovering the Real Van Gogh
While Vincent van Gogh is often portrayed as a tortured, frenzied genius, the film makes a compelling case that this characterization misses the true essence of the artist and his work. Through insightful curatorial commentary and gorgeous, graceful cinematography, Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers paints a portrait of a deeply thoughtful, complex figure who meticulously considered every brushstroke.
Van Gogh was far from the frenzied wildman of popular repute, but rather a complex, thoughtful figure who pored over every detail of his work.
According to the film’s curatorial experts
A Triptych Reunited
One of the exhibition’s centerpieces is the reunion of Van Gogh’s iconic Sunflowers series. The National Gallery’s own version is displayed alongside the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s, with the 1889 La Berceuse (The Lullaby) completing what curators believe to be a deliberate triptych. Seeing these seminal works together is a revelation, offering new perspectives on Van Gogh’s intentions and creative process.
The Arles Period: Poets & Lovers
The exhibition, and by extension the film, focuses on Van Gogh’s brief but dramatically prolific period in Arles in the south of France. It was here, often working from the confines of a hospital, that he produced some of his most celebrated works. The curators make a valiant if not entirely convincing attempt to tie this output to the show’s “Poets & Lovers” theme:
- Van Gogh’s fascination with literary figures and themes
- His idealized, romanticized notions of love and relationships
- The poetic, expressive nature of his Arles-period work
While the thematic framing may feel a bit strained at times, it takes nothing away from the raw power and beauty of the assembled artworks themselves.
Bringing the Exhibition to the Masses
In releasing the film while the landmark exhibition is still ongoing, the National Gallery is making a savvy move to expand access and generate buzz. While some may worry that the film could undercut in-person attendance, that seems unlikely for a Van Gogh blockbuster. If anything, this virtual experience is likely to whet appetites and drive even more traffic to the gallery.
For those unable to make the trip to London, meanwhile, Exhibition on Screen’s film offers an engrossing and edifying substitute. While it may not quite replicate the frisson of standing inches away from a Van Gogh masterpiece, the documentary nonetheless delivers a rich, immersive encounter with the artist and his work.
A Genius Reconsidered
Ultimately, Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers – both the exhibition and film – is a must-see for art lovers around the world. It offers a fascinating reappraisal of a beloved artist, challenging long-held myths and presenting a more nuanced, thoughtful portrait of the man behind the famous paintings.
Through its deft curation and insightful commentary, this landmark showcase invites us to reconsider Van Gogh not as a mad, tortured genius, but as a deliberate, dedicated craftsman – a master of mood, color, and expression. It’s a perspective that enriches and enlivens an already captivating body of work, reminding us anew of Van Gogh’s enduring power and relevance.
