The Woman Behind Vincent van Gogh’s Renown
Post-Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh has consistently intrigued the public, but are you aware that his acclaim stems not solely from his artistic talent? The truth is, it was the diligent efforts of a remarkable woman that propelled Van Gogh to fame and ensured his legacy endured long after his passing.
Johanna “Jo” van Gogh-Bonger, the spouse of the painter’s brother Theo, is the overlooked champion of Vincent’s triumph. Hailing from Amsterdam, her brother introduced her to Theo, who quickly fell in love. The couple wed in 1889, and she left her life in the Netherlands to join him in Paris. Tragically, less than two years later, she found herself a widow.
At just 28 years old, Jo faced Theo’s death, which came mere months after Vincent’s. Understanding how much it meant to him to support his brother’s artwork, Jo resolved to uphold this legacy. Not only did it draw her closer to her late husband, but it also provided a means to support herself and their infant son, Vincent Willem, who was just a year old at the time of Theo’s passing.
Jo cleared out their Paris apartment, filled with Vincent’s artworks, and returned to the Netherlands. She took with her countless sketches as well as the extensive correspondence between Theo and Vincent. Although the paintings held little value at that time, Jo had witnessed the lively art community that surrounded Theo and realized she could not abandon them.
Initially, she opened a guesthouse in Bussum, a town near Amsterdam that drew writers and artists. This enabled her to establish her own contacts in the art scene while beginning to arrange exhibitions to sell Vincent’s artwork. This generated excitement and interest around the painter, and Jo cleverly sold his pieces to public collections to ensure they received maximum exposure.
Simultaneously, she acknowledged the significance of the letters between the brothers. Believing they would showcase the brilliance behind Vincent’s artistry, she undertook their translation. Having previously worked as an English teacher before her marriage to Theo, she was well-equipped for the task, and by the time of her passing in 1925, she had translated two-thirds of the correspondence.
Though initially disregarded by the art community, she ultimately gained their respect and achieved a significant milestone in 1905. That year, the Stedelijk Museum hosted the largest retrospective of Vincent’s artwork to date, featuring over 480 pieces. Following the exhibition’s success, the value of Vincent’s artwork surged.
The Stedelijk exhibition, where she managed everything from the setup to ticket pricing, also highlighted Jo’s remarkable organizational talents. These abilities proved invaluable as she continued to translate, categorize, and edit the letters. The letters were published in English just four years after her death, serving as an essential resource for comprehending Vincent and his artistry.
By the time of her death, Jo had sold 200 of Vincent’s paintings, parting with some of her cherished pieces to ensure they entered public collections and were seen by millions. Without her unwavering commitment, the world might never have experienced Vincent Van Gogh’s brilliance.
Source: The Woman Who Made Vincent Famous; Johanna van Gogh-Bonger
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