Exhibition Van Gogh and Monticelli in Marseille

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I was very pleased to translate this text, and I am glad that I can tell you about this show, because, in my opinion, Monticelli - a wonderful artist and very undervalued. Let's hope that after this show interest in him grow, as he deserves.
I will definitely go see it.


From 16 th September 2009 to 11 th January 2009 in Marseille, will open an exhibition which will present 18 canvases of Van Gogh, as well as works by the artist, whose exhibition organizers call it "art teacher" - Adolphe Monticelli.

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«To talk about that, Monticelli was a teacher of Van Gogh, it would be wrong, but it can without any doubt be considered a mentor of Van Gogh", - explains Marie-Paule Vial, director of the museums of Marseilles.

The exhibition will open in a room Vieille Charité, building of XVIII century, built a shelter for the poor, which is now a cultural center. The idea of it came from holders under the influence of reading the correspondence of Van Gogh (1953-1890) with his brother, in which the artist speaks about his creative affinity with Monticelli (1824-1886).

For example, here is what he wrote in a letter: "I am confident that continuing his work as if I was his son or brother /.../, it became my goal, I live his life, I'm dying to death.

In another letter, he shared his admiration: "When will my friend, Gauguin, and together we shall go to Marseilles, I was determined to go for a walk on Kanber (the old quarter of Marseille), dressed exactly as Monticelli in the portrait, which I have seen - in huge yellow hat, a coat of black velvet, white pants, yellow gloves, with a bamboo cane - the stately and a little arrogant, like a true Southerner ... "

Van Gogh had never met Monticelli, artist, famous in Provence, but little known outside it. He discovered the work of Monticelli after his arrival in Paris in 1886, organizers of the exhibition say that the style of Monticello, in particular, his work with color and with light, have played an important role in the desire to go to the Van Gogh in Provence.

"In this exhibition we will show works of two artists with an extraordinary destiny. Until now, their works have not been compared and shown together. But Van Gogh valued the work of Monticelli, and I am delighted that this exhibition will provide an opportunity to evaluate the art of color and texture of Monticelli, "- said Thomas Grenon, general administrator of the Office of National Museums, which is involved in organizing this exhibition.

One of the goals of the exhibition - the identification of the proximity between these artists. "Pictures at an exhibition will be hung by genres: landscape, portrait, still life with flowers. In landscapes and still lifes seen remarkable closeness ", - said Ms. Vial.

Van Gogh's paintings were given to the exhibition the Museum d'Orsay, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and New York subway.

It is expected that this exhibition will visit no less than 200,000 viewers.