Beyond Van Gogh in Victoria, BC

The Beyond Van Gogh exhibit is an immersive experience that allows attendees to view works from Van Gogh in 360 degrees. Images of the artist's work are cast onto the walls and floor, transporting one into the world of Van Gogh set to soothing music. It's a delightful experience and wonderful way to get up close to Van Gogh's works. The Victoria, BC location had some logistical issues in getting the experience set up with proper city permits, but after a delay, it finally began running mid-June and will end September 30, 2023. 

If you would love to own some of Van Gogh's art work, we highly recommend the Cobble Hill Van Gogh puzzle collage. Have a look and dive into some history from our guest blogger, Mr. Prather.

This puzzle is titled "Van Gogh". I chose this puzzle because of my love of art. The puzzle displays 26 of his paintings. Many of them were painted while he was in a mental institution and some were painted from his bedroom window.

Vincent Willem van Gogh was born March 30, 1853 in Zundert, Netherlands. He died July 29, 1890 in Auvers-sur-Oise, France at age 37.  Van Gogh had a troubled life. Once after an altercation with his friend and fellow painter, Paul Gauguin, he cut off his right ear. He depended on his younger brother for financial support. He only sold one of his paintings before he shot himself in his chest with a pistol.

Van Gogh was commercially unsuccessful during his lifetime and considered a madman and a failure. As he only became famous after his suicide, he came to be seen as a misunderstood genius in the public mind.

He created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which were completed in the last two years of his life.

Van Gogh suffered from psychotic episodes and delusions. He often neglected his physical health, did not eat properly and drank heavily.

Van Gogh did many self portraits. When he painted these he always painted them with his face on the left side showing his good ear.

I have had the pleasure of seeing several prints of his paintings including “Sunflowers” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and some at the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Today, Van Gogh's works are among the world's most expensive paintings ever sold and his legacy is honored by a museum in his name, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. This museum holds the world's largest collection of his drawings and paintings.