The Royal Academy heralds the new year with a blockbuster exhibition on the works of Vincent van Gogh - the first major solo exhibition dedicated to the artist in London for over forty years. In The Real Van Gogh - The Artist and His Letters correspondence by the artist rarely on public view due to their fragile state, go on display. There are 35 letters - a fraction of the 120 to view online made available by the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam - as well as around 65 paintings and 30 drawings that illuminate the sentiments in the artist's writings. One of the world's best known artists, Van Gogh is famous for his short brushstrokes and bright colours, evident in paintings like his sunflowers, and for his ear-cutting episode. What this exhibition will reveal is a first hand account from the artist himself, challenging established generalisations about his mental state. These letters are displayed alongside paintings including a rare self-portait in which he portrays himself as an artist, still-life drawings and landscape scenes on loan from major museums worldwide.
COMPETITION: We have three pairs of tickets to give away to the Van Gogh exhibition at the Royal Academy. To be in with a chance of winning simply tell us which city the Van Gogh Museum is in.
Email your answer to competitions@londontown.com with 'Van Gogh' as the title of your email.
Good luck!
(Image: Vincent Van Gogh - Self Portrait as an Artist, 1888. Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam)
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