Special exhibition focuses on Van Gogh's work, spirituality and view of nature

From 1 September 39 works by Vincent van Gogh are on view at ARKEN. The special exhibition VAN GOGH focuses on the famous artist’s work, spirituality and view of nature, and is the first major exhibition dedicated to Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in Denmark for more than 50 years. On 23 December 1888, when Vincent van Gogh cut off most of his left ear during a psychotic episode, he was still entirely unknown as an artist. He had no idea that this violent action would help define the framework for the mythmaking and world fame that would later surround his life and art – and which today flourish unabated. A less well known but quite crucial dimension in Van Gogh’s life, however, is his religiosity. Early in life Vincent van Gogh lost his faith in the church as an institution. But he did not lose his faith in God, and he was convinced that he could do good deeds by creating beautiful paintings. Through 28 paintings