Vincent van Gogh

Experience the Art of Vincent van Gogh

“An exhibition where you won’t be mere spectators—you’ll be part of the painting.”

Join us for an exceptional project dedicated to one of history’s most iconic artists—Vincent van Gogh. The immersive Vincent van Gogh exhibition will transform the Sport Mall Bratislava into a vibrant world of colors, emotions, and light, where the boundary between reality and art gradually blurs.

This multisensory artistic experience takes visitors on a breathtaking journey through the final stages of Vincent van Gogh’s career, transporting them to the French towns of Arles, Saint-Rémy, and Auvers-sur-Oise. It was here, between 1888 and 1890, that he created works that are now among the most famous in the history of art.

For the first time, this exceptional exhibition focuses on Johanna van Gogh—known as Jo—the wife of Theo van Gogh, sharing the moving story of Vincent’s final years from her unique perspective. More than 400 works—bold, powerful, and visionary—yet rejected by the world at the time, are showcased. Jo, alone and without a formal education, ensures that Vincent van Gogh does not fall into oblivion.

Through an audio guide, visitors are led through the exhibition, with Johanna van Gogh symbolically taking them by the hand and guiding them through Vincent van Gogh’s life. At the heart of this compelling narrative lies the deep bond between Vincent and his brother Theo—his friend, supporter, and the most important source of stability in his life. Their intense, historically documented correspondence forms the emotional core of the exhibition, making Vincent van Gogh an experience rich in art, emotion, and inspiration.

“I dream of my painting—and then I paint my dream.” (Vincent van Gogh)

Using state-of-the-art technology, van Gogh’s works are projected onto surfaces up to 10 meters wide and more than 4 meters high—creating a visual whole that, in pulsating light, reimagines his unmistakable colors and brushstrokes.

The Man Behind the Myth
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most significant artists of Post-Impressionism, and his expressive works had a profound impact on the art world. He did not begin painting in earnest until the age of 27, after working as a bookseller, a teacher, and a lay preacher, among other things. His life was marked by existential crises, family conflicts, and health problems. Despite this, he found in art a language whose letters and words were colors. He himself wrote that he wanted to “take revenge with brilliant, well-ordered, magnificent color” when he felt ugly, old, evil, sick, or poor.

Between Light and Shadow
When Vincent van Gogh took his own life in Auvers-sur-Oise in July 1890, he had sold only a single painting. He died convinced that he had failed. It was not until decades after his death that the significance of his work was truly appreciated. Today, he is considered one of the greatest painters of the modern era. His letters to his brother Theo, filled with doubt, passion, and deep brotherly love, offer a fascinating glimpse into the man behind the paintings. His works continue to resonate today because they depict more than just radiant starry skies or the blooming fields of Provence—they reveal the soul of a man who never stopped fighting for beauty.

Vincent van Gogh’s Works Today
Vincent van Gogh’s paintings are fetching record prices on the international art market today. In 2022, his painting Orchard with Cypresses (Verger avec cyprès) was auctioned for 117.18 million U.S. dollars—setting a new record. His works are on display in the world’s most prestigious museums, including MoMA in New York and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. With more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings, the latter holds the most extensive collection of his work. Today, none of Vincent van Gogh’s descendants own any of his works. Theo’s son donated this valuable legacy to the Vincent van Gogh Foundation in Amsterdam in 1973, making Vincent’s art accessible to the public rather than passing it down as an inheritance.

Tickets purchased online are valid for a specific date and time. When purchasing, you will select the date and time slot that suits you. The time slot is the time by which you must arrive at the exhibition. Once inside, you may stay as long as you like. There is no time limit on your visit other than the museum’s opening hours.

📍 Location: Hodonínska 27
💵 Admission Price: 10 SEK