Wales is to be home to a Van Gogh self-portrait for the first time when the loaned artwork goes on view at National Museum Cardiff next month.
The artwork, Portrait Of The Artist (1887), is on loan from the Musée D’Orsay in Paris. It will be on display from 16 March through 24 January 2025. In exchange, Amgueddfa Cymru’s La Parisienne by Renoir will head to the Paris institution.
The painting is part of a new exhibition titled ‘Art of the Selfie’, which explores whether self-portraits were the original selfies. Other artists featured in the exhibition include Rembrandt, Brenda Chamberlain, Francis Bacon, Bedwyr Williams and Anya Paintsil.
Kath Davies, director of collections and research at Amgueddfa Cymru, said: “I am sure visitors to the museum will enjoy seeing this work by one of the world’s best-known painters displayed alongside paintings by artists from our collection here in Wales.”
She added, “The selection of self-portraits shows the different ways in which artists have chosen to characterize themselves in the same way we present and share images of ourselves today.”
Visitors are encouraged to pay what they can for a ticket to the new ‘Art of the Selfie’ exhibition.
New ‘Art of the Selfie’ exhibition
“The national collection belongs to the people of Wales. On your behalf, we care for it, conserve it and most importantly, share it. But it’s getting tougher. Costs are getting bigger for everyone – and we’re no exception,” said Jane Richardson, chief executive of Amgueddfa Cymru.
“By paying as little as a £1 you will help us to create new, inspiring ways for people to come and enjoy the national collection and the worlds most celebrated artists.”
Museum Wales (Amgueddfa Cymru) is an association to oversee a group of Welsh museums.
Lead image credit: RMN-Grand Palais (Musée D’Orsay)
