Open Courtauld Hour – Episode 5, S6: Van Gogh and his Self-Portraits

This Open Courtauld Hour celebrates the first ever exhibition devoted to Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portraits across his entire career, currently on show at The Courtauld Gallery from 3 February – 8 May 2022.

The Morgan Stanley Exhibition: Van Gogh. Self-Portraits takes as its springboard Van Gogh’s iconic Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, one of the most celebrated works in The Courtauld’s collection, and will bring together around half of the self-portraits Van Gogh created during his short years as a painter – an exciting opportunity, given that many of these works are rarely lent. Several works in the exhibition were last together in Van Gogh’s studio and have never been reunited, until now.

Join us to hear more about the exhibition, the works on display, the motivation behind it and its special relevance to London itself. Learn from experts Karen Serres (Curator of Paintings at The Courtauld) and the team behind Van Gogh House London. This event allows those unable to come to the exhibition itself a rare opportunity to experience the artworks virtually.

This online mini series will provide concise one hour packages of pop-up talks, performances and in detail object study sessions that explore and celebrate our collection, research in art history, curation and conservation. The series will touch on pertinent issues — magnifying contemporary thinking in society through the field of art history.

Most importantly, as art is relevant to all, these informal sessions will give attendees the chance to access, engage and read art and art history through a different lens— revamping and rethinking art historical discussions through retelling hidden stories. These episodes will platform new perspectives, new ways into art practice, looking at art and reading its history through themes that impact us all.

Open Courtauld Hour is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.