Kiefer / Van Gogh Lecture by Tom Parsons at the Royal Academy of Arts

Seventy-two years after the death of Vincent Van Gogh, eighteen-year-old Anselm Kiefer won a grant to follow in his footsteps and see the landscapes of the Netherlands, Belgium, Paris and Arles that inspired his Post-Impressionist hero. The sketches he made on this first trip have evolved through his 60-year career into monumental, sculptural canvases that draw on the subjects and techniques of Van Gogh and entwine history, mythology, literature, philosophy and science.

Kiefer has spoken often of his connection to and admiration of Van Gogh “What struck me was his persistence, his faith in painting. He kept going, even when everything around him collapsed. That’s what matters.” — Anselm Kiefer, quoted in: A Monograph, 2010

This exhibition will focus on this lasting influence for Kiefer, including new works created for the exhibition and favourite Van Gogh paintings. Works will be drawn from major public and private collections, including rarely seen pieces from Kiefer’s personal archive.

The lecture by Tom Parsons will prepare you for the exhibition so that you can make the most of your time in the gallery and gain the greatest insight into the works. Please join us for lunch afterwards at a restaurant nearby.

10.30 Coffee at the Linnean Society

11.00 Lecture for Artemisia Members at the Linnean Society by Tom Parsons

12.30 Lunch at Il Viccolo

14.00 Exhibition at the Royal Academy

Please note you must purchase your own tickets to the exhibition from the Royal Academy website. This allows you to choose the time you want to enter and to use any discounts or memberships you may have.

Royal Academy Exhibition tickets

Host or Publisher Art History Abroad