The National Gallery in London will remain open all night on January 17, allowing art enthusiasts a final chance to experience the extraordinary Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers exhibition before it closes on January 19. Featuring over 60 works by the Dutch master, the exhibition has drawn record crowds since its opening in September.
London's National Gallery has announced an unprecedented decision to extend its hours and remain open all night on January 17, accommodating the immense demand for its celebrated exhibition, Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers. This blockbuster showcase has already attracted more than 280,000 visitors, making it the gallery's third most successful paid exhibition in its 200-year history.
The exhibition focuses on a pivotal period in Vincent Van Gogh’s life, between February 1888 and May 1890, when the artist lived in the south of France, in Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. During these two years, Van Gogh created some of his most iconic masterpieces, inspired by the vibrant landscapes and light of the region. Visitors can admire more than 60 works, including Starry Night over the Rhône, Sunflowers, and Van Gogh's Chair.
Tickets for the event have been in extraordinary demand, with all available spots for the overnight session selling out by Thursday afternoon. "Our visitors will have the rare and special opportunity to experience Van Gogh's pictures during the night and early hours of the morning," said Gabriele Finaldi, director of the National Gallery. "They will follow in the footsteps of artists such as Freud, Bacon, and Hockney, who came here during those times to take inspiration from the Gallery's collection."
This marks only the second time the National Gallery has experimented with overnight openings, following a similar initiative in 2012 for the wildly successful Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan exhibition.
Van Gogh: Global Icon Defying Time
Vincent Van Gogh is celebrated as one of history’s most influential artists due to his revolutionary use of color, expressive brushstrokes, and emotional intensity. Despite struggling with mental health and financial difficulties during his lifetime, his work transformed the post-Impressionist movement, paving the way for modern art. Works like The Starry Night and The Bedroom continue to captivate audiences, offering a deeply personal window into his inner world. His ability to transform ordinary scenes into profoundly moving pieces has cemented his legacy as one of the most beloved artists of all time.
With AFP
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