Painting in the open air: myth and reality

22 January 2010 to 23 January 2011

The research project Van Gogh’s studio practice (a collaboration with ICN and Shell) focuses not only on Van Gogh but also on the studio practice of his contemporaries and predecessors. That’s why this year’s annual presentation on this research features a painting by one of the artists who served as a source of inspiration to Van Gogh: Cliffs at Villerville-sur-Mer (1864-1872) by Charles-François Daubigny. This work was regarded as a milestone in the Impressionist tradition as it was held to have been painted in its entirety in the open air. Recent research, however, shows this to be a myth.

Van Gogh’s studio practice
Together with partner in science Shell and the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage (ICN), the Van Gogh Museum is conducting technical and art-historical research into the work practices of Van Gogh and his contemporaries. Every year the researchers give a presentation based on the results of their findings.