This year marks the centenary of the death of Jo van Gogh-Bonger (1862–1925). She was married to Vincent van Gogh’s brother Theo and, following both brothers’ demise, took responsibility for preserving their legacy. This small-scale exhibition highlights the portraits painted by Isaac Israëls (1865–1934) which feature works by Van Gogh in the background. The presentation coincides with the publication of the digital edition of the more than 100 letters from Israëls to Van Gogh-Bonger in the museum’s collection.
‘Vincenting’
Israëls and Van Gogh-Bonger shared an intimate friendship between 1895 and 1897, and became close friends from 1914 onwards. One surprising outcome of their relationship is that Jo lent several of Van Gogh’s masterpieces to Isaac, including Sunflowers, The Bedroom and The Yellow House (The Street). Between 1915 and 1920, Israëls used these paintings as backdrops in at least seventeen of his own works. He even coined the apt verb ‘to Vincent’ in reference to these specific paintings. ‘I’m still very busy Vincenting,’ he wrote to her happily.
The presentation brings together ten of Israëls’ paintings featuring works by Van Gogh in the background, drawn from both Dutch museums and private collections. They are shown alongside portraits, letters and Jo van Gogh-Bonger’s diary, all of which shed light on their special relationship.
Israëls’ Portrait of Jo van Gogh-Bonger (1895–1897) was restored especially for this presentation. The painting had been obscured by a yellowed, matt layer of varnish and multiple overpaintings.
Letters
Hans Luijten is a Senior Researcher at the Van Gogh Museum. He is the biographer of Jo van Gogh-Bonger, and previously published a digital edition of her diaries. The letters from Isaac to Jo are now also being made available online, and can be accessed at Israelsletters.org.
This edition was produced in collaboration with the Huygens Institute for Dutch history and culture, which previously collaborated with the Van Gogh Museum on the digital edition of Vincent van Gogh’s correspondence: https://vangoghletters.org.
Luijten:
‘Israëls writes with great candour and verve about art, literature, music, love and friendship. He had a keen interest in Jo and her tribulations, and enjoyed their time together. But he was also fascinated by Vincent’s work, as he frequently expresses in his letters.’
