Celebrate Van Gogh’s Brilliance at 2025 Art Showcases
Published: January 14, 2025
Vincent van Gogh, one of history’s most enigmatic artists, continues to captivate audiences with his deeply emotive work and unique vision. In 2025, art enthusiasts have the rare opportunity to experience Van Gogh’s legacy through an array of exhibitions around the world, marking both his artistic genius and the enduring influence of his work on modern creativity.
The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston opens the year with Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits (March 30–September 7), which will later travel to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam (October 3–January 11, 2026). This exhibition is a profound exploration of Van Gogh’s close relationship with Joseph Roulin, a postman and loyal friend in Arles. The show reunites 15 of the 26 portraits depicting Roulin and his family, allowing viewers to witness Van Gogh’s mastery of character study and his ability to convey warmth and resilience through his vibrant brushstrokes.
Anselm Kiefer, a contemporary artist inspired by Van Gogh, will be featured alongside the Dutch master in an exhibition opening at the Van Gogh Museum (March 7–June 9) before traveling to London’s Royal Academy of Arts (June 28–October 26). Kiefer’s works, infused with Van Gogh’s spirit, provide a fascinating dialogue between two artists who transcended their eras to explore themes of nature, humanity, and existential struggle.
The Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands will host Charley Toorop: Love for Van Gogh (May 24–September 14). This exhibition highlights how Toorop followed Van Gogh’s footsteps, painting in the same regions and drawing inspiration from his empathetic portrayal of rural life. Simultaneously, the Noordbrabants Museum in Den Bosch celebrates their recent acquisition of Head of a Woman (1885) with an exhibition titled The Potato (July 26–November 23), focusing on Van Gogh’s poignant depictions of peasant life, including his early masterpiece, The Potato Eaters.
Japan pays tribute to Van Gogh with two major exhibitions. Van Gogh’s Home: The Painter’s Legacy begins in Osaka (July 5–August 31) and travels to Tokyo and Nagoya. Additionally, The Grand Van Gogh Exhibition, featuring works from the Kröller-Müller Museum, tours Kobe, Fukushima, and Tokyo, showcasing the profound impact Van Gogh has had on the global art scene.
For those tracing Van Gogh’s personal history, the Van Gogh House in Zundert offers intimate exhibitions focusing on themes such as his Sunflowers and his time in Antwerp. In April, Etten will unveil a restored Protestant church where Van Gogh’s father once served as a pastor, now featuring displays about the artist’s life and family roots.
These exhibitions underscore Van Gogh’s timeless ability to connect with audiences across generations. Whether through the Roulin portraits, his influence on artists like Kiefer and Toorop, or the global celebrations of his life, Van Gogh’s work continues to evoke empathy and inspire creativity.
In 2025, the world unites to honor a man who, though misunderstood in his time, now stands as a beacon of artistic brilliance. From Boston to Japan, Van Gogh’s journey unfolds in vibrant hues, inviting us all to view the world through his extraordinary lens.