Theo van Doesburg on a Van Gogh Exhibition in Utrecht

What it is

This is a newspaper article written by the painter Theo van Doesburg in 1916, reviewing an exhibition of Vincent van Gogh's work held in Utrecht. It appeared in the periodical Eenheid.

Van Doesburg discusses the exhibited works, mostly from Van Gogh's early Brabant period, and reflects on how public appreciation of painters often lags behind their time.

Why it matters

Written over twenty-five years after Van Gogh's death, this article shows how his reputation was growing among artists and critics of a new generation. It gives insight into how fellow painters like Van Doesburg understood Van Gogh's struggle and style.

Look closer

• What does Van Doesburg suggest about how the public valued Van Gogh during his lifetime?
• Why might a painter's opinion of another painter differ from a historian's?
• What does this review tell us about Van Gogh's reputation in 1916 compared to his own time?