The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has published 103 letters from Dutch Impressionist painter Isaac Israëls to Jo Bonger, Vincent van Gogh's sister-in-law, revealing a previously secret romantic relationship between them. The museum is also presenting an exhibition titled "Captivated by Vincent: The Intimate Friendship of Jo van Gogh-Bonger and Isaac Israëls" (through January 25, 2026), which explores their brief physical relationship in the 1890s and its aftermath, including how Israëls incorporated Van Gogh's paintings into his own portraits—a practice he called "Vincenting." Twelve of these portraits are on display for the first time.
This matters because it sheds new light on the personal life of Jo Bonger, who was instrumental in preserving and promoting Vincent van Gogh's legacy after his death, and reveals a previously unknown artistic dialogue between two major Dutch artists. The exhibition and letters offer fresh insight into how Van Gogh's work influenced Israëls, and highlight the role of personal relationships in shaping art history. The story also underscores the ongoing importance of archival research in rewriting art historical narratives.