Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum presentation
Permanent collection, floor 1
Several of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous works from the permanent collection of the Van Gogh Museum served as inspiration for six paintings made by artists from The Pokémon Company. Examples include Pikachu shown in a work that is inspired by Self-portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887), the Pokémon Sunflora is hidden in a variant of Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers (1889), and you can find Snorlax and Munchlax relaxing in a work inspired by The Bedroom (1888). You can admire these six specially created paintings on the first floor of the Rietveld building (Rietveldgebouw).
A Pokémon Adventure activity
6 years+, activity leaflets are handed out at the Information Desk, Atrium
A Pokémon Adventure leaflet will lead young visitors along the works by Vincent van Gogh that served as inspiration for the paintings in the six-piece special presentation, Pokémon in the Van Gogh Museum. During the activity, visitors will discover the museum and the stories behind the paintings. Once participants complete the Pokémon Adventure activity, they can hand in their completed leaflet for a special Pikachu x Van Gogh Museum promo card (subject to availability). The Pokémon Adventure leaflet is available in Dutch and English.
Pokémon x Van Gogh online learning material – Van Gogh at School
Upper primary and lower secondary education level
Vincent greatly admired everything related to Japan, and Japanese prints taught him to look at the world differently. The use of flat planes of strong colours, everyday subjects and attention for detail in nature spoke to him. Using the Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum collaboration as a starting point, pupils will learn about the connection between Van Gogh and Japan, and about how inspiration can go in two directions. The teaching materials are available in Dutch and English at the Van Gogh at School platform.
‘How to draw Pikachu’ video guide
At the museum restaurant
A guided video activity will be available in the museum that teaches visitors how to draw fan favourite Pokémon Pikachu, and encourages them to try this for themselves.
The Van Gogh Museum Shop (inside the museum and online) and The Pokémon Centre online store will feature an exclusive range of Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum merchandise featuring the art of the collaboration.