Van Gogh Museum exhibition traces artist's posthumous fame

The Van Gogh Museum will open 'Vincent's Path to Fame' on June 12, 2026, examining how Vincent van Gogh became a global icon despite little recognition during his lifetime. After his death in 1890, his brother Theo also died months later, leaving Theo's widow Jo van Gogh-Bonger with hundreds of works and letters. Rather than selling the collection, she dedicated herself to promoting Vincent's genius through exhibitions, loans, and publications. The exhibition traces this gradual rise to fame over decades.