"Musée d'Orsay" in Paris lends Van Gogh's painting in exchange for Renoir's work, "La Parisienne". In the exhibition entitled, 'Welsh Art of the Selfie', visitors will be encouraged to take their own self-portraits
Vincent van Gogh's self-portrait has been unveiled in Cardiff, as it goes on display for the first time in Wales. The Dutch master's painting entitled "Portrait Of The Artist" and made in 1887, has been borrowed from the "Musee D-Orsay" in Paris and will remain on display for some time at the National Museum in Cardiff. This work forms the centerpiece of an exhibition that explores whether such self-portraits are in fact the original "selfies". The collection also includes works by iconic artists, Rembrandt, Brenda Chamberlain, Frances Bacon, Bedëyr Williams and Anya Paintsil.
The works showcase different artistic methods and approaches to the concept of self-portraiture, used by artists throughout history to explore their identities and express themselves to the world.
Van Gogh, who lived from 1853 to 1890, painted more than 35 self-portraits and is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable faces in Western art.
Dr. Kath Davies, director of collections and research at Amgueddfa Cymru, a government-sponsored group involving seven Welsh museums, said: “We are delighted to welcome Van Gogh's self-portrait to the National Museum Cardiff. Self-portraits and 'selfies' are two different things, but they have something in common - both are used to show who you are as a person."
Next, Davies recounted how they were approached by representatives of the Musée d'Orsay, who asked to borrow one of their most beloved paintings, La Parisienne, also known as The Blue Lady by Renoir.
La Parisienne has been part of the Walles collection since 1952, when it was bequeathed by the Welsh art collector and lover, Gwendoline Davies. According to Davies, at first they were a little hesitant about the request: “People travel miles to see this work and get upset when it's not in the museum. It serves as an emotional connection for so many people."
However, Davies says such exchanges are not that common, but one of the art curators in Paris had spent time in the Welsh town of Lampeter and helped smooth the way to an agreement for a Van Gogh painting to be sent. in exchange for Renoir's iconic work. The exhibition "The Art of the Selfie" opens on March 16 and is available to the public from around the world until January 26 next year. Visitors are encouraged to pay as much as they can for tickets.
Taken from BBC and "The Guardian". Translated by: Edona Binaku