VALKENSWAARD.- 2015 marks the 125th anniversary of Vincent van Gogh’s death (1853-1890). This occasion is being commemorated in over 30 locations throughout Europe under the title: ‘Van Gogh 2015: 125 years of inspiration’. The Dutch Museum of Lithography is participating in this event with the exhibition 'Vincent van Gogh, The Graphic Artist', which runs from 9 May to 4 October 2015. The exhibition relays the story of the artist's little-known lithographic works and his fascination for 'the art of black and white'. The museum is also running a smaller exhibition in parallel, entitled 'Vincent van Gogh in Small Lithography' which displays selected smaller lithography items from the Ton de Brouwer collection.

Lithographic works
The exhibition shows exact reproductions of Van Gogh's graphical works, as well as a number of pieces on loan from the Netherlands and Belgium, to illustrate the following themes in the painter's work: Van Gogh as a collector, Van Gogh and his ambition to be a magazine illustrator, Van Gogh as a printmaker for the people, Van Gogh as his own advertising and Van Gogh as a graphic experimentalist. One Van Gogh piece in particular receives special attention: the lithograph 'The Potato Eaters' was first printed in limited copies on 16 April 1885 in Eindhoven. Vincent created this print prior to finishing the final version of the painting that would become famous as his first real masterpiece. These themes introduce the museum's visitors to the lesser-known facets of the famous painter. This exhibition was created with the cooperation of, among others, the Van Gogh Museum, the Belgian Royal Library, the Rijksprentenkabinet, the Kröller-Müller Museum and the British Museum.

Lithograph 'The Potato Eaters' reprinted after 130 years
As part of the exhibition, the Dutch Lithography Museum (Steendrukmuseum) has also reprinted the ‘The Potato Eaters’ lithograph. A small run of the litho was printed in cooperation with master lithographer, Gertjan Forrer, using an authentic lithography press dating from van Gogh's era. This unique reprinting process was filmed and edited in both Dutch and English versions. The film also shows Van Gogh's other lithographic works, and is accompanied by commentary from Van Gogh experts. The special museum reprint, DVD and 'Vincent van Gogh as a Graphic Artist' exhibition catalogue is available from the museum shop.