The Van Gogh Museum will host an exhibition titled "Captivated by Vincent. The Intimate Friendship of Jo van Gogh-Bonger and Isaac Israëls" from September 12, 2025 to January 25, 2026, marking the centenary of Jo van Gogh-Bonger's death. The show features works by Dutch painter Isaac Israëls, who was a close friend of Van Gogh-Bonger and frequently incorporated copies of Vincent van Gogh's paintings into his own compositions. It includes 10 Israëls works inspired by Van Gogh, his portrait of Van Gogh-Bonger (recently restored), and excerpts from her diary, alongside over 100 letters between the two being published in a digital edition.
This exhibition matters because it finally shines a spotlight on Jo van Gogh-Bonger, the sister-in-law of Vincent van Gogh who was instrumental in building his posthumous fame. After inheriting hundreds of Van Gogh's works following the deaths of both Vincent and her husband Theo, she tirelessly promoted the artist through exhibitions and critical outreach. The show not only celebrates her centenary but also highlights her crucial role in art history, which was largely overlooked until Hans Luijten's 2022 biography brought her contributions to light.