A true artistic master, Van Gogh has been inspiring artists all over the world for decades. One of his most memorable paintings, ‘Sunflowers’ has been reimagined in a wide range of styles, materials and colours to give a contemporary take on the subject matter and has inspired new artists to try and replicate his unique style for themselves.
A major exhibition of the Dutch master’s work has been on display at the Tate Britain over the summer months and focuses on how he is continuing to influence artists to this day, as well as showcasing the impact that his time living in London had on his work.
Travelling all over Europe in his youth, the yet undiscovered Van Gogh journeyed to England in his younger years and walked the streets seeking inspiration for his work. With a love of Dickens and inspired by the works of Constable, Van Gogh captured many London cityscapes and immortalised them on canvas for the whole world to enjoy.
Once the artist began to gain some notoriety for his art, more and more aspiring artists saw Van Gogh’s vision and started to change the face of British art forever with their own creations.
Some of the most notable followers of his work and popular artists in their own right include Francis Bacon, David Bomberg and the young Camden Town painters that themselves set artists in the UK on the road to modern art.
One of the best examples of this is ‘Sunflowers’, with many contemporary artists taking Van Gogh’s motif and interpreting the work to suit their own individual style. Many have used his unique fusion of contrasting colours to create an impact with their own work whereas others have opted for oversized blooms with large leaves as their subject matter of choice.
The Tate exhibition is due to end in mid-August 2019, but those lucky enough to secure tickets to the event can view fifty pieces of Van Gogh’s most famous work, including the inspirational ‘Sunflowers’ that is very rarely loaned out to other galleries – a rare treat indeed for any art lover!
You’ll also be able to learn more about the influence the Dutch master has had, and is still having to this day, on modern artists in Britain and further afield, so it’s well worth a visit if you’ll be heading down to London this summer.
