Explore Van Gogh’s influence on the generation of artists that succeeded him—specifically the Expressionists. Focus on how his work shaped, and was...
April 2–June 11, 2025
Van Gogh: Portraiture, Influence, and Legacy
Vincent van Gogh, Postman Joseph Roulin, 1888. Oil on canvas. Gift of Robert Treat Paine, 2nd.
Vincent van Gogh, Postman Joseph Roulin, 1888. Oil on canvas. Gift of Robert Treat Paine, 2nd.
Celebrate the exhibition “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits” with this in-depth course, which offers a comprehensive and creative exploration of Vincent van Gogh’s art, influences, and environment through a combination of historical, scientific, and artistic perspectives. A sensory journey through time and canvas, the ten-session course looks at the profound impact of Provence on the artist’s later works, the influence of Dutch masters on his oeuvre, his role in the evolution of portraiture, and the relationship between creativity and mental illness. Experts from various fields, including art history, conservation, music, and food provide new insights into Van Gogh’s techniques, materials, and enduring artistic influence.
Take the full ten-session course or choose the lectures that interest you most.
Ticket Packages
Purchase the discounted ten-session course package. Please note that this course package is not available after the date of the first session.
Tickets (Member / Nonmember)
In-Person $240/$300
Online $130/$170
In-Person Package Livestream Package
For more information and to purchase tickets for individual sessions, select from the section below.
Past Events
Lecture
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Lecture
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Like most artists of his time, Van Gogh used tubes of paint from color makers. In his colorful paintings from his time in Arles, he used around a...
Lecture
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
“If my work is that of a madman, well, too bad.” —Vincent van Gogh It is a popular idea that mental suffering is fertile ground for great creativity...
Lecture
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
The stunning work Van Gogh created during his short time in Provence tells us much about the visual inspiration of the region’s scenery. The...
Lecture
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
The late 19th century was a particularly vibrant time in France for artists of all types. Musicians, poets, and artists intermingled in a myriad of...
Lecture
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
In anticipation of the exhibition “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits,” paintings conservators were given unprecedented access to Van Gogh’s...
Lecture
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
“What I’m most passionate about, much, much more than all the rest in my profession—is the portrait, the modern portrait,” Vincent van Gogh wrote in...
Lecture
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Discuss the social and cultural climate that inspired Dutch artists of the 19th century, as well as their complex relationship to art of the past...
Lecture
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
Especially in his portraits of the Roulin family, Van Gogh turned to the work of Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and other Dutch artists who came before him...
Lecture
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
1:00 pm–2:30 pm
“Now that I have seen the sea here, I am absolutely convinced of the importance of staying in the Midi and of positively piling it on, exaggerating...
Ticket Information
To order tickets by phone, call 1-800-440-6975 ($6 processing fee applies); to order in person, visit any MFA ticket desk.
Livestream Tickets
The livestream ticket gives access to a live feed of the event that can be watched remotely. You must be logged in to the account used to purchase the ticket in order to access the livestream on the Video Content page. Please log in at least 5 minutes before the start of the event to test your connection.
Livestream ticket holders must watch the event live; there is no recording of the event available for viewing at a later time.
Bag Checks
All bags are subject to inspection by Museum staff. Backpacks, large bags, all liquids including hand sanitizer and sunscreen, and outside food or drink are not permitted. Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs. All bags are strongly discouraged, and any bags larger than 11” x 15” must be checked in the Coat Room upon entry. Read our full bag check policy.