Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch painter born on March 30, 1853, in Zundert, Netherlands, was an anomaly that no one could understand when he expressed his views through art. It took people decades to realize his ingenuity and the limitless extension of his craft.
Van Gogh achieved posthumous success years after his death on July 29, 1890, in Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, France.
Through a life of struggle with poverty and changing professions, Vna Gogh made a livelihood as a language teacher, art dealer, and bookseller, among many others. Even then, he never left creating– and is today considered one of the most influential post-impressionist artists.
He redefined art, rejecting the standards of impressionism and viewing the world through the lens of his mind with expressionism.
However, a dark secret is the base paint for his paintings, considering his mind was clouded with manic depression. His art depicted his deteriorating mental health and ended with a painting that both haunts and mesmerizes as he dies by suicide after creating this masterwork–
In a short life of 37 years, Van Gogh sold only one painting. But the late 20th-century history was painted by the accolades of his creativity, inspiring artists to view the world under the wide sky of Starry Night.
Years later, the Van Gogh Museum was founded to honor and display his art and inspire artists to create their own renditions. The museum also collaborates with other entities to fuse Van Gogh’s art with pop culture references.
As a part of its 50th-anniversary celebration, the Van Gogh Museum has joined hands with the legendary Pokémon franchise to create several renditions of Van Gogh’s art. Their latest creation includes Pikachu in a grey felt hat, inspired by Van Gogh’s self-portrait in the same hat. This collaboration exhibition started on Thursday, September 28, 2023, and will last till Sunday, January 7, 2024. This special edition will include an exclusive promo card that you can get from the museum or the Pokémon Center for a limited time only.
Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat Explained
Even though Van Gogh struggled with mental instability for most of his life, he was known to express art as a form of self-reflection. He would document his mental health through self-portraits.
One of the most famous self-portraits of Van Gogh is him wearing a grey felt hat, where he looks content with simple pleasures. This particular self-portrait was van Gogh’s way of navigating his identity and artistic development.
And now, a century later, the Van Gogh Museum is honoring the deep symbolism behind the painting with Pikachu, a beloved Pokémon.
The exhibition will also include several other versions of various paintings involving other Pokémons as well.
However, beware of any fake card sellers, as it is confirmed that only one promo card with Pikachu in a grey felt hat is accessible.
You can also check out exciting merch from the Van Gogh X Pokémon franchise alliance.
What are your thoughts on this collaboration? Are you excited about the exhibition? Would you buy the special edition Pikachu card?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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