An exhibition will be held focusing on two great painters active at the end of the 19th century, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin.

Van Gogh and Gauguin lived together for about two months in Arles, southern France, in 1888. The exhibition will focus on works from the period when they appreciated each other's work, sometimes discussing and inspiring each other, and will trace the evolution of their respective careers and works from the early days of their careers to after they began living together.

According to art historian Sillar van Heughten, the exhibition's curator and visiting Japan for a press conference to promote the exhibition, although there have been exhibitions introducing these two artists together in Europe and America, this is the first time it has been held in Asia. "First of all, many exhibitions are seeking their works. Museums and individuals are hesitant to part with their treasures, even for a moment. This hurdle is especially high if the paintings have only just been returned. Furthermore, many paintings are already reserved for other exhibitions, or are in poor condition, making them unremovable," says Hueften.

After overcoming numerous obstacles, "Harvest," which both Van Gogh and Gauguin recognized as their "masterpieces," will be coming to Japan.

Gauguin's "Harvest" is "Grape Harvest, Human Misery," making its Japan debut. This is a rare opportunity to view two works that capture the harvesting of Arles farmers from different perspectives.

In addition to works by Van Gogh and Gauguin, this exhibition also features works by the Barbizon School and Impressionists who influenced the two artists in the 1880s, as well as avant-garde works by artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec, who was active in Paris at the same time. The "Van Gogh and Gauguin" exhibition will be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum from October 8 to December 18, 2016, and at the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art from January 3 to March 20, 2017.
【Exhibition Information】
"Van Gogh and Gauguin"
■Tokyo Venue
Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Special Exhibition Room
Address: 8-36 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Dates: October 8th - December 18th, 2016
Hours: 9:30am - 5:30pm
(Until 8pm on Fridays, and November 2nd, 3rd, and 5th)
Admission: Adults 1,600 yen, University/Vocational College Students 1,300 yen, High School Students 800 yen, 65 and Over 1,000 yen
Closed: Mondays, October 11th *However, the exhibition will be open on October 10th
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■Aichi Venue
Venue: Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art
Address: 1-13-2 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya
Period: January 3rd to March 20th, 2017 Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm, until 8:00pm on Fridays (last entry 30 minutes before opening) Closed: Mondays (except January 9th and March 20th), January 10th