Photo: Morris Mac Matzen
From September 23, 2026, through February 28, 2027, visitors to the Lichthalle Maag in Zurich will be able to experience the remarkable life of artist Vincent van Gogh through an immersive exhibition. Visitors will be guided through his story and experience Van Gogh from an entirely new perspective. “VINCENT – Between Madness and Wonder” recounts the last three years of the famous painter’s life.
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous artists in history and is considered one of the founders of modern painting. Works such as «Starry Night» and «Sunflowers» are world-renowned. Yet his life was anything but glamorous. Behind the passion and the vibrant colors lies a man who was plagued for years by longing, financial hardship, and inner struggles. And it is precisely this side of his life that takes center stage in the immersive exhibition at the Lichthalle Maag. Van Gogh’s story is told from the perspective of his sister-in-law and art dealer, Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger.
Visitors embark on a virtual journey through Arles, Saint-Rémy, and Auvers-sur-Oise, where, between 1888 and 1890, a body of work was created that would make Van Gogh world-famous. The audience experiences beautiful moments as they stroll side by side with Van Gogh through colorful fields or marvel at the sparkling night sky with him. The exhibition also offers fascinating and perhaps little-known insights into Van Gogh’s inspirations, his life, and his thoughts. But the emotional and darker side of his story is also brought to light. Visitors experience the inner turmoil, the hardship, the self-doubt, and the loneliness of this exceptional artist as if they were there themselves. This is particularly evident in the letters Vincent van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo, who played a significant role in his life. And yet, Van Gogh was driven by a constant inner urge to keep painting and to capture all his impressions and emotions on canvas.
The exhibition’s title captures the contrasts in Vincent van Gogh’s life. On the one hand is his extraordinary artistic talent; on the other, his doubts and inner struggles. It is precisely these contrasts, along with his works, that continue to make the painter so fascinating to this day.
So if you want to do more than just view Van Gogh’s famous paintings, if you want to get to know him as a person, delve deeper into his thoughts, story, and sketches, and see the person behind the paint, should definitely pay a visit to the Lichthalle Maag between September 23, 2026, and February 28, 2027.