Van Gogh Museum: 

I was very excited to visit the Van Gogh Museum this past weekend, and I was not disappointed with the museum at all. The Van Gogh museum shows every side of Vincent Van Gogh that obliterates the usual background knowledge of the artist that most visitors probably come in knowing - Starry Night, Sunflowers, cut off ear. The museum also exhibits other artists that were associated with Van Gogh. From Van Gogh's own interpretation of himself through his 'Self-Portraits' and his relationship with his brother Theo, to his influences from his circle of 'Artist Friends' and cities like Paris and Japan, there were a lot of interesting exhibitions on Van Gogh.

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Summary of Museum:

Van Gogh started painting peasants and farms because was fascinated with nature and recognized the connection between peasant life on nature. He turned to Paris after the city was transformed from a medieval town by Georges-Eugène Haussman's urban plan. He met new artist friends and worked with them to exhibit and trade art with the help of his brother Theo, an art dealer. But he left the city for a more quiet life in Southern France where he discovered his signature style of energetic brushworks and color contrasts. Japan was an important influence on Van Gogh, because he admired the depictions of nature found in Japanese woodblocks that he used to collect with his brother. He compared Southern France to Japan, and he sought a life focused on art and connected to nature when he moved from Paris. After his death, his bother wanted to make his art known. Theo died very soon after him, so his wife Jo Van Gogh-Bonger took over the task. She is a major reason Van Gogh achieved the recognition he has today. Van Gogh was also a very big draughtsman (drawer) and wrote numerous letters, mostly to Theo. A few of his letters are exhibited at the museum and show a personal side of him.