Arts & Culture
See Van Gogh
Experience artist Vincent van Gogh and those who inspired his work at the Columbia Museum of Art.
Beyond a Starry Night
Experience the original, CMA-exclusive Van Gogh and His Inspirations exhibition this October
“No artist emerges out of a vacuum, including Van Gogh,” said Columbia Museum of Art Chief Curator Will South. “All of us are shaped by our culture, our time, our experiences. The works by Van Gogh being loaned for this exhibition reveal his connections to the artists and culture he was part of: Flower Beds in Holland from the National Gallery of Art, for example, shows how he looked hard at the work of other landscapists like Charles-Francois Daubigny in addition to that of the Impressionists. His famous Self-Portrait from the Wadsworth Atheneum shows how Van Gogh’s ability to translate psychological intensity stretches back to predecessors such as Rembrandt. This exhibition explores, in short, how Van Gogh became Van Gogh.”
Featuring works by Van Gogh along with a diverse group of handpicked paintings and drawings that inspired both Van Gogh’s vision and his artwork, this collection has some 60 works. It is comprised of a private collection built by art historians and South Carolina residents Steven Naifeh and his late partner Greg Smith and includes works of art on loan from 12 museums across the country.
Experience and learn about one of the most famous and influential artists in the history of Western art with the CMA this fall. They offer a variety of tours, lectures, and activities to allow you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in this collection.
Van Gogh and His Inspirations will be on display Friday, October 4, 2019 through Sunday, January 12, 2020. It is presented by the Blanchard Family and is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
Getting to Know Van Gogh: A Lecture Series
Dive into the world of Van Gogh and His Inspirations with this lecture series featuring CMA staff and guest experts. Each lecture is free with membership or Van Gogh admission.
Saturday, October 5 at 2pm with Will South
Wednesday, October 16 at 6pm with Steven Naifeh
Sunday, November 10 at 2pm with Stephanie Viani Hromadka
Sunday, December 8 at 2pm with Alyssa Velazquez
Van Gogh to the Movies: A Film Series
Tuesday, November 5 at 6pm – Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams
Sunday, December 1 at 2pm – Vincent van Gogh: A New Way of Seeing
Sunday, December 15 at 2pm – Vincent & Theo
Friday, January 10 at 6pm – Loving Vincent and Talkback featuring Steven Naifeh
Public Tours
Saturdays at 11am and 1pm
Alternating Wednesdays beginning October 9 at 2pm
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