Johanna van Gogh-Bonger: The Architect of Van Gogh's Posthumous Fame
The posthumous recognition of Vincent van Gogh can be attributed significantly to his sister-in-law, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, who took control of his estate following the deaths of Vincent and Theo in 1890 and 1891. A key event was the 1896 exhibition at the Groninger Museum, which ran from February 21-26 and showcased 128 pieces, drawing in 1,600 attendees, organized by six students from the University of Groningen. Johanna actively promoted his works, lending them for displays both in the Netherlands and abroad. In 1903, 'Poplars near Nuenen' became the first Van Gogh piece acquired by a public collection when purchased by Museum Boymans-van Beuningen. She also published his letters, with the first Dutch edition appearing in 1914. Johanna passed away in 1925, just a month before finalizing a contract for an English translation. In 1960, her son established the Vincent van Gogh Foundation, which led to the creation of the Van Gogh Museum in 1973.
Key facts
- Johanna van Gogh-Bonger inherited Van Gogh's estate after the deaths of Vincent and Theo.
- The 1896 Groninger Museum exhibition was organized by six University of Groningen students.
- The exhibition ran February 21-26, 1896, with 128 artworks and 1,600 visitors.
- Johan Huizinga was among the student organizers.
- Museum Boymans-van Beuningen bought 'Poplars near Nuenen' in 1903, the first museum acquisition.
- The 1905 Stedelijk Museum exhibition featured over 480 works.
- Johanna published the first compiled Dutch letters in 1914 as 'Brieven aan zijn broeder'.
- She sold 'Sunflowers' (1888) to the National Gallery, London, to secure an English translation contract.
- The English letters were published in 1927 by Constable (London) and Houghton Mifflin (US).
- Johanna died in 1925, before the English contract arrived.
- The Van Gogh Museum opened in Amsterdam in 1973.
Entities
Artists
- Vincent van Gogh
- Theo van Gogh
- Johanna van Gogh-Bonger
- Johan Huizinga
- Jakob Huizinga
- August Vermeylen
- Albert Aurier
- Johan Cohen Gosschalk
Institutions
- Groninger Museum
- University of Groningen
- Museum Boymans-van Beuningen
- Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
- National Gallery London
- Constable & Company
- Houghton Mifflin
- Vincent van Gogh Foundation
- Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
- Kunstlievend Genootschap Pictura
- De Harmonie
- Vienna Secession
- Les Hommes d'Aujourd'hui
- Mercure de France
- Van Nu en Straks
Locations
- Groningen
- Netherlands
- Amsterdam
- Paris
- France
- Provence
- Bussum
- Zwolle
- Rotterdam
- Utrecht
- Leiden
- Berlin
- Germany
- Vienna
- Austria
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States