Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam opened the Hockney and Van Gogh exhibition. The opening was announced shortly before the painting by David Hockney – “Portrait of the Artist (Pool with Two Figures)” – was sold at auction for 90.3 million dollars, and its author became the most expensive living artist in the world. Now, this fascinating exhibition harmoniously combines large-scale landscape painting by British artist and small artworks created by an iconic Dutch painter.

Photo credit: Van Gogh Museum/vangoghmuseum.nl

David Hockney was born almost half a century after Van Gogh’s death; however, their views on nature often coincide. But what exactly does it mean? And how did the best landscape paintings by Van Gogh inspire Hockney? “When nature reaches its peak, it seems that the champagne is poured into the bushes, everything foams and looks amazing,” says the famous British painter.

“I am under the profound influence of Van Gogh – and it is very evident in this show,” said an 81-year-old Hockney before the opening of the Hockney and Van Gogh Exhibition in Amsterdam.

Photo credit: Van Gogh Museum/vangoghmuseum.nl

David Hockney is one of the most famous artists of our time. Despite his age, the master draws every day. He identifies himself with the work of Vincent Van Gogh: both artists see the extraordinary in a seemingly unremarkable form. And both are fascinated by the seasons, which cause constant changes in nature.

“For me, Van Gogh is a modern artist. Any artist who speaks to you is modern,” says Hockney. As a 16-year-old, he first became acquainted with the artworks of the Dutch post-impressionist painter in Manchester in 1954. Back then, he first began studying at the art school in Bradford. “What I remember is the color, because I’ve never seen such paintings before,” the painter recalls. “In art school, everyone just painted gray pictures. At first, I thought he was probably exaggerating some color, but now I don’t think so. I think you just need to look carefully.”

Photo credit: Van Gogh Museum/vangoghmuseum.nl

His bright palette Hockney developed in sunny Los Angeles, where he lived for thirty years. Returning to his native Yorkshire in 2004, he, again and again, depicted the same place to convey the change of seasons. The landscape paintings presented at the Hockney and Van Gogh exhibition in Amsterdam, the artist has been creating for nine years.

When comparing the colorful art pieces by both artists, it is easy to notice that Hockney carefully studied the paintings by the legendary post-impressionist. Both painters use characteristic strokes and dots, and both tend to experiment with perspective. Like Van Gogh, Hockney performed many of his landscape paintings in the open air.

Photo credit: Van Gogh Museum/vangoghmuseum.nl

The Hockney and Van Gogh exhibition titled “Hockney – Van Gogh: The Joy of Nature” in the Van Gogh Museum will last until 05.26.2019.