Two of Van Gogh’s paintings have been restored in preparation for the Van Gogh & Japan exhibition: Peach Tree in Blossom and Sprig of Flowering Almond in a Glass. In the spring of 2018 they can be admired in their original beauty in the museum.
It was decided in the run-up to the Van Gogh & Japan exhibition (March 2018) to restore two paintings by Van Gogh: a longlasting wish of curators and restorers alike. Peach Tree in Blossom and Sprig of Flowering Almond in a Glass are excellent examples of the way Van Gogh drew inspiration from Japanese printmaking immediately after his arrival in Arles in the spring of 1888.
In the past, both paintings have been lined and given a glossy varnish layer. The latter in particular would not have been the artist’s own preference, as he specifically sought to achieve a matt surface. The decision was taken to remove the now yellowed, glossy varnish layers to bring the paintings closer to Van Gogh’s original intention.