WINNER OF THE 2023 MARY LYNN KOTZ AWARD FOR ART IN LITERATURE

It is so good, after so many years of public indifference, even hostility towards Vincent and his work, to feel towards the end of my life that the battle is won.’

JO VAN GOGH-BONGER TO GUSTAVE COQUIOT, 1922

‘It is a sacrifice for the sake of Vincent’s glory.’

JO VAN GOGH-BONGER ON THE SALE OF ‘THE SUNFLOWERS’ TO THE NATIONAL GALLERY, UK, 1924

Little known but no less influential, Jo van Gogh-Bonger was sister-in-law of Vincent van Gogh, wife of his brother, Theo. When the brothers died soon after each other, she took charge of Van Gogh’s artistic legacy and devoted the rest of her life to disseminating his work.

Despite being widowed with a young son, Jo successfully navigated the male-dominated world of the art market—publishing Van Gogh’s letters, organizing exhibitions in the Netherlands and throughout the world, and making strategic sales to private individuals and influential dealers—ultimately establishing Van Gogh’s reputation as one of the finest artists of his generation. In doing so, she fundamentally changed how we view the relationship between the artist and his work.

She also lived a rich and fascinating life—not only was she friends with eminent writers and artists, but she also was active within the Social Democratic Labour Party and closely involved in emerging women’s movements.

Using rich source material, including unseen diaries, documents and letters, Hans Luijten charts the multi-faceted life of this visionary woman with the drive to shake the art world to its core.