Melbourne Masterclass: Van Gogh’s Four Seasons

1, 8, 17, 24 May 2017, 6:00-8:30pm

In partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria’s Melbourne Winter Masterpiece exhibition Van Gogh and the Seasons, the Faculty of Arts University of Melbourne is pleased to present a masterclass exploring the life and art of one of the most recognisable artists of the 20th century, Vincent van Gogh.

The four seasons run like a thread throughout Van Gogh’s art work and for the artist represented the circle of life in all its beauty and majesty. By focussing on a different season each week this four-part masterclass, Van Gogh’s Four Seasons, will explore the artist’s work and the varied shades of his personality and life experiences.

Each session includes evening lectures and talks by some of the University of Melbourne’s finest scholars and NGV’s Senior Curators, light refreshments and the privilege of exclusive after-hours exhibition viewing.

This year we have introduced a new format to the program during the exhibition viewing period. Monday evenings will showcase floor talks and Wednesday evenings will allow participants to engage in a conversation panel.

Program outline:

Monday, 1 May: Spring 
Vincent van Gogh’s world in movement
Speaker: Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee, the University of Melbourne

‘Something medieval about it’: Van Gogh’s commission for a set of seasonal paintings and the politics of collaboration in 1884
Speaker: Dr Sophie Matthiesson, Curator, International Art, NGV

Floor talks in the exhibition space.

Monday, 8 May: Summer
Darkness and Light: Van Gogh in the South of France
Speaker: Sylvia Sagona, the University of Melbourne

The evolution of Ukiyo-e and Van Gogh
Speaker: Wayne Crothers, Curator, Asian Art, NGV

Floor talks in the exhibition space.

Wednesday, 17 May: Autumn
Van Gogh Beyond the Asylum
Speaker: Dr Anthony White, the University of Melbourne

Contextualising the madness of Van Gogh
Speaker: Dr James Bradley, the University of Melbourne

Dr Vincent Alessi, alumnus and van Gogh expert, will lead an in conversation with key speakers and Q&A in the exhibition space.

Wednesday, 24 May: Winter
The cult of Van Gogh
Speaker: Laurie Benson, Curator, International Art, NGV

Accident or suicide: Van Gogh’s final days
Speaker: Dr Ted Gott, Senior Curator, International Art, NGV

Dr Vincent Alessi, alumnus and van Gogh expert, will lead an in conversation with key speakers and Q&A in the exhibition space.

Full program details to follow.

Cost:
Individual session: $60* / $65
Series pass: $220* / $240

*The University of Melbourne alumni, staff and students, and NGV members

(Please note tickets are strictly limited) 

Banner Image: Tree trunks in the grass late April 1890 Saint-Rémy Vincent van Gogh © Kröller-Müller Museum