When van Gogh arrived in Paris in 1886, he was a 33-year-old Dutch painter of rural life looking to bolster his meager formal training. He had not yet seen Impressionist paintings, let alone learned of the radical changes in color and design that the Post-Impressionists Georges Seurat, Paul Gauguin, and others of their generation were introducing. During his two years in Paris, he learned quickly. His discovery of Japanese woodblock prints inspired new and joyous color schemes as well as surprising compositions. In this lecture, Walsh traces the artist’s path through various experiences that helped to bring about an astonishing transformation in his work.

Generously sponsored by the John Walsh Lecture and Education Fund and the Martin A. Ryerson Lectureship Fund.



Note: This lecture is the second in the series Vincent van Gogh’s Turning Points. All lectures are held in the Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Lecture Hall. Seating is limited. Doors open one hour prior to each lecture. Free tickets to the lecture are handed out in the lobby beginning one hour prior; ticket holders are guaranteed a seat.