[Deep] Are Van Gogh's Sunflowers delicious? - National Gallery London Exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art

It ended up being a bit of a clickbait title, I suppose.

For me, however, it is a very serious question.

What is the one thing in this world I would most like to eat?

If I were with someone who allowed me to be my true self, the answer would be "Van Gogh's Sunflowers" (the one in London).

This seems to require a proper introduction and explanation.

A preface before reading this article

I started writing this note with a relatively lighthearted episode (it just happened that way naturally), but it is about to get deep. I have added [Deep] to the title to reflect that.

I am not the type who can write lies, so I will write exactly as things are.

If you want to learn about Van Gogh's Sunflowers, please read articles by others. I don't think you will find basic knowledge here (I'm sorry).

Furthermore, I plan to write below about a phenomenon that most people will likely find incomprehensible.

Some of you may not be able to accept it. Some Van Gogh fans might even be offended. I apologize in advance.

If you have made it this far, I think you can still turn back.

Now, let me introduce the strange story of the sunflowers and me.

2020 London National Gallery Exhibition

In 2020, the London National Gallery Exhibition was held at the National Museum of Western Art (Ueno, Tokyo), managing to open despite delays and concerns over the impact of COVID-19.

Even five years later, when I talk to people who went to this exhibition, we still say, "Wow, that exhibition was truly incredible." It was a wonderful art exhibition that brought us a wealth of masterpieces. I looked at the exhibition list for the first time in a while, and since I have discovered more favorite painters over the past five years, I made new discoveries like, "Oh, such an amazing painting was here!"

https://www.nmwa.go.jp/jp/exhibitions/pdf/2020london_list.pdf

It was a big deal at the time, but a painting by Murillo was also included. It is quite rare to see one in Japan, so I hope I can see it again someday. (I think works by Ingres are also quite rare in Japan.)

The National Gallery's Van Gogh Sunflowers

The London National Gallery has a magnificent collection, and Van Gogh's Sunflowers was no exception; it came to Japan as well.

It is said that these sunflowers, painted in August 1888 to decorate the Yellow House in Arles, are the sunflowers at their absolute best.
The background is a deep yellow and cream, featuring 15 flowers.
Among the several versions of sunflowers, this one seems to have the air of the 'definitive sunflower'.

There is a website that introduces all the sunflowers, so please take a look.

The only painting that causes a physical abnormality: Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Is Van Gogh really that amazing?
What is so amazing about Van Gogh?

I sometimes see such questions in articles.

If I could answer that,
He is amazing 'to the point of causing a physical abnormality'.

I think these sunflowers were displayed a little higher up (if I recall correctly),
but the moment I saw the painting,

I couldn't stop drooling...!!

It's strange, isn't it? Haha.
It's a phenomenon quite different in nature from those experienced with other paintings.

And, sorry for the slightly gross topic.

But it wouldn't stop.
It wasn't actually dripping from my mouth, but
the saliva in my mouth just kept welling up uncontrollably.

It was like a dog with food placed in front of it.

Honestly, this experience was both scary and laughable.
Many people were staring at the sunflowers,
and the sunflowers were staring back at the viewers,
in such a bizarre space,
this strange phenomenon was probably just me.

Huh, what happened to me?
Is my instinct thinking this painting 'looks delicious'?

My body is intent on eating the painting.

Among the five senses,
I have rarely experienced a painting that appeals directly to my appetite.

Even with 'auditory art,' it's not clear if you are actually hearing it with your sense of hearing
(I think it's more of a sixth sense),
but this was the first time I encountered a painting that acted on my body so clearly and physically.

What does it mean to eat a painting?

I want to eat it. I want to eat it no matter what.
It was a painting that forced me to think that, but

if you read my notes, you might understand, but
I don't think I literally 'want to eat the paint'.

I want to eat Van Gogh's sunflowers.
I want to put the whole thing in my mouth.
That is all.

Just to be clear,
I am not the type of dangerous person who would damage a painting
or suddenly take a bite out of one, so please rest assured lol

The idea of "wanting to eat" it is something that happened with this painting, but
when you see a wonderful painting or something beautiful,
I feel that everyone has an irresistible urge to
"want it" or "want to hold it in their hands" impulsively.

When you want something so badly, when you want to get your hands on something,
don't you feel like there's something more to it
than just wanting to buy it or keep it in your own home?

You want to take it inside yourself.
I think there might be such a deep desire.

Perhaps Sunflowers has something that makes you feel that way.

I feel like the day will come when I understand the proper way to eat a painting,
or rather, how to take it into myself.

I intend to write about this in a future episode,
and there is a reason for that.

Someday, when I stand in front of the painting,
the sunflowers might just pop out,
and jump right into me.

Or perhaps hands might come out from behind my back,
grab the sunflowers, and eat them.

If I were to eat them, if I were to take them in, that is the image I have.

It was a strange phenomenon where, even though I didn't use my mouth to eat,
I was physically drooling quite a bit.

Perhaps my body subconsciously recognized it as a "painting that could provide spiritual nourishment"
and instinctively felt it wanted to consume it.

Van Gogh's Sunflowers must be so delicious that it's beyond anything in this world.
Also, I feel like it would give you some kind of amazing power.

And, even if I eat it, I don't think Van Gogh's Sunflowers
"will diminish."
Please rest assured. It is everyone's Sunflowers.
It is a painting drawn to be given to those who see it,
or so I feel.

So, the title "Are Van Gogh's Sunflowers delicious?" is
a very serious question.
For those who have eaten it, I look forward to your impressions lol

Afterword. The switch for eating paintings has been turned on.

Paintings look delicious.
This has become a bit of a habit.
Since then, even with flower paintings by Pierre Bonnard,
I've found myself thinking... they look delicious... drool.

It seems the switch to want to eat paintings has been turned on.
My five senses have become slightly broken and loose, alas.

Actually, it's quite interesting that I don't think paintings of food look delicious.
It happens more with paintings of flowers.

Should I eat other sunflowers too?

Fortunately for Japan, the SOMPO Museum of Art (Shinjuku, Tokyo) has
Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

It's a bit strange, but although I have seen the SOMPO Sunflowers
many times,
I have never felt like eating them.

The SOMPO Sunflowers were
apparently painted while Van Gogh was recuperating after his self-mutilation incident,
and I feel that perhaps Van Gogh's own mental state
was different.

And, even more strangely,
I went to see the Sunflowers in Munich (Germany / Alte Pinakothek) in 2024, but
I didn't feel like eating them.
The Munich Sunflowers seem to have been painted around the same time as the London ones,
and I imagine he painted them with energy and excitement, but

Hmm. No drool.

It's a mystery, isn't it?
If I said I drooled over every sunflower, that would be scary in its own way.

Could it be that the London Sunflowers were
painted when Van Gogh was extremely hungry,
and that state is embedded in the painting?

There's really no end to thinking about it.

The Amsterdam Sunflowers

I plan to see the Sunflowers in the Netherlands soon.
They seem to have been painted after the SOMPO Sunflowers,
so, I wonder what will happen.

I'm looking forward to it.

Afterword

This time, I tried writing by diving into a somewhat deep episode.

Actually, this episode
was the hardest story for me to write,
so I managed to write it after much revision,
but despite the effort, it didn't get many 'likes'.

That makes sense.
I think it's a story that's quite hard to relate to.

But I will continue to write about my deep experiences
just as they are.

It might be hard to relate to, but
I would be happy if you could read it and laugh, thinking,
'Does this really happen? lol'

I would be happy if you could feel free to leave comments
with any questions, things you want to ask, or impressions.

I would appreciate it if you could also read this if you'd like.

Introduction 01
https://note.com/killamaru/n/n0cb504116a87
The story of how I started writing and an explanation of this Note

Introduction 02
https://note.com/killamaru/n/n3b42879699f8
This is a continuation of the "Introduction," and I am grateful that it has a high like rate among my Notes.

Introduction 03 - How many years does it take to acquire an aesthetic eye?
https://note.com/killamaru/n/ne9792bc439fe

<Jakuchu>
The story of being called by Jakuchu for the first time - Sen-oku Hakuko Kan Museum Tokyo -
https://note.com/killamaru/n/n79a61287feed

I wonder if Jakuchu will call me again today - Maruyama Okyo Exhibition at the Mitsui Memorial Museum -
https://note.com/killamaru/n/na07051e46676

The story of Jakuchu hesitating before another genius - Shokoku-ji Exhibition at the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts -
https://note.com/killamaru/n/n85b940e93ef9

<Van Gogh>
[Deep] Are Van Gogh's Sunflowers delicious? - National Gallery London Exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art
https://note.com/killamaru/n/n69330619f156

On "What kind of viewer are you?" and "Van Gogh's death mask" - Van Gogh Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum -
https://note.com/killamaru/n/na3e315c32ca0

<Art Exhibitions>
The painter who can create a black hole - Sengai Exhibition at the Idemitsu Museum of Arts - [Deep]
https://note.com/killamaru/n/n576fe4a903b7

The reason why there is no sound from the paintings - Utrillo Exhibition (SOMPO Museum of Art) -
https://note.com/killamaru/n/nd086f4b57077

Ise Monogatari Exhibition - Nezu Museum - What I feel from Iwasa Matabei
https://note.com/killamaru/n/n522358cdf891

What was actually on the monk's back? - Special Exhibition "Unkei: The Space of Prayer at Kofuku-ji Temple's Northern Octagonal Hall" -
https://note.com/killamaru/n/nb87fb034c08e

<Tweets/Recent Updates>
Recent Updates 01 - Regarding upcoming posts, etc. -
https://note.com/killamaru/n/n8ccdcabb85ef