Using modern digital technology, more than 30 masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh – the world’s most famous post-impressionist artist, are on display at an ongoing exhibition at the Vincom Center for Contemporary Arts (VCCA) in Hanoi.   

"Self-Portrait" by Van Gogh.

The month-long exhibition, entitled Reflective Impressions: Van Gogh & his Works, is showcasing 35 pieces by the Dutch painter by using high-resolution projectors. The artworks include several world-famous and recognizable pieces such as Sunflowers, Self Portrait and Starry Night.

With images presented on large screens, the layers of the brush strokes have been enlarged, giving viewers a close-up view of every detail and contour of the paintings.

According to the VCCA, the particular techniques used by the artist, including his specific thick brush strokes that capture his emotions, could be better understood in this format. The complex combination of shapes, colours and brightness added authenticity to the medium, creating a matrix of brush strokes as well as a certain preciseness of the paintings, giving the audience a unique visual experience compared to the original paintings.

“Many who know about Da Vinci, Picasso and Van Gogh have never had access to their original paintings as most of them are kept in famous museums or belong to private collections all over the world. The most common way for people to enjoy their artworks is through books, magazines, postcards or the internet. With this format, original works become more popular and accessible,” said VCCA’s art director Mizuki Endo.

Alongside the exhibition, VCCA will also hold other events, including workshops to help the audience learn more about Van Gogh’s unique style.

The digital exhibition will be open to public until April 9. The VCCA is at Block B1 – R3, Vincom Mega Mall Royal City, 72A Nguyen Trai road, Thanh Xuan district.

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was a post-Impressionist painter whose work – notable for its beauty, emotion and colour – highly influenced 20th-century art. During his short life, he completed more than 2,100 works, consisting of 860 oil paintings and more than 1,300 watercolours, drawings and sketches.

Several of his paintings now rank among the most expensive in the world; Irises sold for a record 53.9 million USD, and his Portrait of Dr. Gachet sold for 82.5 million USD. However, he struggled with mental illness, and remained poor and virtually unknown throughout his life.-VNS