Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was captivated by Europe’s popular fascination with Japanese culture. He collected and copied Japanese woodblock prints, as well as took artistic inspiration from their vibrant colors and innovative compositions. In an 1888 letter from Van Gogh to his brother Theo, the artist wrote, “all my work is based to some extent on Japanese art.”  This focused exhibition will explore the influence of Japanese art on Van Gogh’s oeuvre by comparing reproductions of the artist’s paintings to authentic Japanese prints from the internationally renowned Raymond A. Bidwell Collection at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts.

Images (left to right)
Plum Trees Flower Garden At Kameido, 1857, woodblock print by Andō Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858), Raymond A. Bidwell Collection, 60.D05.1004.
Bullfinch and Weeping Cherry, circa 1833, woodblock print by Katsushika Hokusai (Japanese, 1760-1849), Raymond A. Bidwell Collection, 60.D05.1114.
Sudden Evening Shower At Ohashi Bridge, 1857, woodblock print by Andō Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858), Raymond A. Bidwell Collection, 60.D05.1169.