Exhibition of van Gogh works is ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity

DETROIT — He’s one of the most famous artists in the world, and Vincent van Gogh holds a special place in the hearts of countless metro Detroiters who’ve admired his works in the permanent collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Art lovers now have another reason to visit the DIA: Through Jan. 22, 2023, 74 of his works are on display as part of the new exhibition, “Van Gogh in America.”

It’s an exclusive for the DIA and reflects the museum’s early support for van Gogh. This year marks the 100th anniversary since the museum acquired its first piece by van Gogh.

“In 1922, the DIA was the first museum in the United States to buy a painting by Vincent van Gogh, his (1887) self-portrait,” DIA Director Salvador Salort-Pons said. “At the time, the artist was not that famous, but the DIA staff and the board and the city had the vision to acquire his work.”

Americans, in general, embraced van Gogh, and that’s reflected not only in the many who collected and exhibited his work, but also in onscreen depictions of the troubled artist and his short life, such as the 1956 movie, “Lust for Life.” van Gogh himself never visited America; he died by suicide in 1890 at the age of 37.

The exhibition includes artworks from museums and private collectors not only from around the United States, but also from across the globe, from London to Paris, to Madrid, to Amsterdam. Organizers note that it would otherwise be nearly impossible for people to see all of these artworks.

“It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Bonnie Larson, of Bloomfield Hills. Larson is a major sponsor of the exhibition through her Bonnie Ann Larson Modern European Artists Series.

Larson said the exhibition features “amazing works of art by this extraordinary artist.”

Besides iconic van Gogh paintings, visitors will be able to see prints and drawings by the Dutch post-impressionist artist. Many of the works are fragile and rarely on display.

The works teem with energy and humanity, and those with people typically depict ordinary citizens, many of whom are at work in fields.

“We have organized his works to chronicle the people and places who influenced van Gogh,” said Jill Shaw, curator for this exhibition and head of the DIA’s James Pearson Duffy Department of Modern and Contemporary Art and Rebecca Boylan and Thomas W. Sidlik Curator of European Art, 1850-1970.

She said his work was first shown publicly in the United States in 1913.

“He is, first and foremost, an artist of unparalleled achievement and skill,” Shaw said.

Because van Gogh died before his work earned acclaim in the art world, it was up to his family to publicize and share his art. Brother Theo, who had been van Gogh’s biggest champion, also died young, at age 33, in 1891, so this responsibility largely fell on the shoulders of Theo’s widow, Johanna “Jo” van Gogh-Bonger, and later her son — and only child with Theo — Vincent Willem van Gogh. He established the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 1973.

The family continues to preserve and promote van Gogh’s legacy to this day.

Janne Heling, of Paris and Amsterdam, the great-granddaughter of Vincent Willem van Gogh, was among the van Gogh family members on hand for the opening of the DIA exhibition this fall.

“Vincent and Theo — they shared a dream,” Heling said. “Vincent was obviously the artist, but Theo knew how important the work was.”

She said her great-great-grandmother, Jo, traveled the world with Vincent van Gogh’s paintings because “she wanted to realize that dream” her husband had before he died.

The Van Gogh Museum loaned several of the pieces in its collection to the DIA for this exhibition. While the artist died before he became a household name, the family takes comfort knowing that his work is now revered internationally.

“It’s always amazing to see how many people flock there (to the Van Gogh Museum) to see his art,” Heling said. “That was always his dream.”

Admission for this special exhibition ranges from $7 to $29 per person, with discounts for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Ave. For more information, call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.