Vincent van Gogh, who passed away in 1890, exhibited an uncanny familiarity with 21st-century language. When asked about cutting off his left ear, he clarified the misconception, stating that he only severed “part of my earlobe.” But why did he fatally shoot himself in the chest with a revolver? “Even I am bewildered by my motivation, and this continues to be a subject of speculation among historians and specialists. I appreciate your understanding of my mental health struggles,” he expresses.
This Artificial Intelligence Van Gogh is a captivating addition to the exhibition of the artist’s final works at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. The exhibition also features a virtual reality experience based on his last paint-encrusted palette. In May 1890, Van Gogh relocated to Auvers-sur-Oise, a village 30km north of Paris, to be close to his brother Theo and under the care of Dr. Paul Gachet, known for his expertise in treating melancholy.
During a final creative outburst, Van Gogh produced 74 paintings and 33 drawings within a span of two months. Among these works are renowned pieces like Church at Auvers-sur-Oise, portraits of Gachet and his daughter Marguerite, and his last canvas, Les Racines (Roots), which he completed just 36 hours before taking his own life. These works, primarily held by the Musée d’Orsay and the Van Gogh Museum, which has never before loaned them, have now been brought together for the first time.
Emmanuel Coquery, the exhibition curator, explains, “This unique exhibition showcases a remarkable array of paintings. This collection holds significant weight because it represents the period during which he concluded his life. The question on everyone’s mind is why, and the answer eludes us. Did he feel he had completed his body of work, or was it an overwhelming crisis that consumed him?”
Coquery further aims to dispel the notion of Van Gogh as a cursed artist who went unrecognized and unloved during his lifetime. He asserts, “He was experiencing growth and recognition during this time. His paintings were beginning to sell, and his talent was acknowledged.” According to Coquery, Van Gogh’s final act appears to have been premeditated, suggesting a calm ending rather than a crisis-induced one.
“It is extraordinary that he was able to paint such extraordinary pieces in his final days,” Coquery marvels. Before entering the exhibition, visitors have the opportunity to engage with an interactive experience based on Van Gogh’s last paint palette, which is on display at the museum.
Chloé Jarry from Lucid Realities, a Paris-based production company involved in the interactive experience, explains, “This experience offers visitors a fresh perspective on the artwork. By using Van Gogh’s actual paint palette, we can showcase the colors as they were during his time and incorporate the touches he applied in his paintings to create a virtual landscape.”
In addition to the exhibition and interactive experience, visitors can interact with an AI incarnation of Van Gogh, developed by technology start-up Jumbo Mana. The AI is designed to bring historical figures to life. Visitors will encounter Van Gogh at the moment he completes one of his most famous late works, Wheatfield with Crows. His responses are based on scientific research that analyzed the numerous letters he wrote, primarily to his brother, conducted by Van Gogh specialist Wouter van der Veen.
President of the Musée d’Orsay, Christophe Leribault, describes the exhibition and the integration of AI and VR experiences as a groundbreaking way to view an artist who is widely known. He states, “This exhibition is both remarkable and powerful, showcasing Van Gogh’s ability to experiment despite the struggles he faced in the last two months of his life. We observe a wide range of subjects and witness his creativity with paint, canvas, and frames.”
Leribault continues, “Van Gogh left behind numerous letters, which are a rarity among artists. Through software developed from these manuscripts, we are able to have Van Gogh respond to our questions, although it remains a game. With the VR experience, we can immerse ourselves in Van Gogh’s world through his palette.”
Overall, this comprehensive exhibition allows for various approaches to understanding Van Gogh as an immensely popular painter who continued to leave a lasting impact even in his final days.
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