Van Gogh

Van Gogh Synopsis

An exhibition catalog tracing the evolution of Van Gogh's self-presentation in his art. This volume accompanies an exhibition at London's Courtauld Gallery, the first to explore the full chronological range of Vincent van Gogh's self-portraits. The myth of Van Gogh today is linked as much to his extraordinary life as it is to his world-famous paintings.

His biography has often shaped the way his self-portraits have been (mis)understood. Spanning his entire career, this volume explores these highly personal paintings, analyzing the artist's self-representation in context to reveal the role it plays in his oeuvre. Of particular interest is the striking way the evolution of Van Gogh's self-representation can be seen as a microcosm of his development as a painter.

In addition to the celebrated Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, the exhibition showcases a group of major masterpieces brought together from international collections, including the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, among others. Beautifully illustrated, this exhibition companion includes detailed entries on each work, an appendix illustrating all of Van Gogh's self-portraits, and three insightful essays on the theme.