Exhibition Tour—Van Gogh's Cypresses | Met Exhibitions

Join Susan Alyson Stein, Engelhard Curator of Nineteenth-Century European Painting, to virtually explore Van Gogh’s Cypresses, the first exhibition to focus on the trees—among the most famous in the history of art—immortalized in signature images by Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890).

Such iconic pictures as Wheat Field with Cypresses and The Starry Night take their place as the centerpiece in a presentation that affords an unprecedented perspective on a motif virtually synonymous with the Dutch artist’s fiercely original power of expression. Some 40 works illuminate the extent of his fascination with the region’s distinctive flamelike evergreens as they successively sparked, fueled, and stoked his imagination over the course of two years in the South of France: from his initial sightings of the “tall and dark” trees in Arles to realizing their full, evocative potential (“as I see them”) at the asylum in Saint-Rémy.

Juxtaposing landmark paintings with precious drawings and illustrated letters—many rarely, if ever, lent or exhibited together—this tightly conceived thematic exhibition offers an extraordinary opportunity to appreciate anew some of Van Gogh’s most celebrated works in a context that reveals the backstory of their invention for the first time.

On view: May 22nd - August 27th, 2023

The exhibition is made possible by the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation.

Additional support is provided by the Janice H. Levin Fund, Katharine Rayner, and the Aaron I. Fleischman and Lin Lougheed Fund.

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

The catalogue is made possible by the Janice H. Levin Fund.

Additional support is provided by Adrian Sassoon and Edmund Burke.

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© 2023 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

[jppagetoo]

I have seen many VanGogh's in the Met, the MOMA, and in other museums and all of them are wonderful. It would never have occured to me to exhibit his work with the cypress trees being the theme, but is sure seems like an obvious choice now that the Met has done this! Fantastic idea....

[eugenelazarev]

Love seeing the beauty of the world in Van Gogh's eyes! Thanks The Met!

[lilianaherrerasygman]

I had the pleasure of viewing a magnificent exhibition of a Artist that I have admire since I was very young. So very happy to listen to the story telling of his life. Thank you Metropolitan Museum of art for such a fine exhibition. 💐💐

[veronicamaria]

The most wonderful exhibition I've attended so far at The Met, truly inspiring!

[jiyoungyue]

I went to the exhibit in person a couple weeks ago. It was amazing.

[gregorymiller]

We will be there tomorrow, and I genuinely can't wait. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and I wouldn't miss it.

[ElvenAcademy]

The violin music, and orchestral in the other Van Gogh video, is just too much.

[puckfair]

It was one of the best exhibitions they have ever mounted in all the 62 years I've been going to the Met!

[SlpBeauty]

First trip as a member! Great job, lovely exhibit, total rollercoaster of emotions. Dancing with Van Gogh was lovely. I'm going back during member only hours because I promised him a slow dance.

[elineeugenie]

From the other side of the pond, thank you Met for putting together such a beautiful exhibition. The paintings remind me a lot of the living Cypress trees in Provence that i admired and loved when i lived in Vaucluse with my mum in the 80s. We always used to comment, how messy the trees were around the villages where we walked, along the farmers' paths between the vineyards and melon fields. Thinking back, those trees remind me of my mum's messy grey braid down her side as she got up in the morning. Old grumpy tough ladies. Respect was what they need.
Thank you for reading this, have a good day 🌿🌾

[phronsiekeys]

Thank you for the wonderful walk thru (the rooms look stark and unappealing, though). I won't be able to see it in person, so it's nice to see it here.

[lorrainenicoletti]

Thank you all for your Hard work putting the Exhibition together.
Always the integrity of Met shines. I feel at home at the MET.

[withgoddess]

I almost expect the narrarator to exclaim "Oy!" at some point...

[debbralehrman]

What an amazing exhibition. How long will it be there?

[tairua]

Wonderful. I will never see those paintings in real life, so thank you.

[gameratwork]

Just saw the exhibition a few weeks ago. Definitely the top Van Gogh exhibition I’ve ever seen!

[chemokiki]

Brilliant video! Thank you so much. I hope that I am able to view these masterworks in person.

[tituslane]

This exhibition looks stunning - as good as the RA show on the letters. The cypresses were deeply religious for Vincent and any show celebrating transcendence like this, is very moving. Unfortunately i cant go because i dont have the money! But i will buy the catalogue and dream

[lauraliselottecorrea]

The information provided was excellent, give the viewer a perspective of Van Goh's work.

[annettewillis]

Truly wonderful to experience this magnificent insight into Van Gogh's obsession with cypress. Thanks to the Met for sharing this exhibition with those of us not in New York.