The Shocking Truth of 'Van Gogh's Lost Masterpiece' | Professor Jeon Won-kyung [Art & The City]

Summary

Professor Jeon Won-kyung discusses the rich collection of Impressionist paintings in Tokyo museums, particularly the story of collector Matsukata Kojiro who amassed over 3,000 artworks. She explains the influence of Japanese ukiyo-e on Western artists like Van Gogh and Monet, and reveals the tragic fate of three Van Gogh masterpieces that were lost or destroyed.

• Tokyo museums hold a large number of Impressionist works, especially by Monet and Van Gogh.
• Collector Matsukata Kojiro acquired over 3,000 Western artworks in the early 20th century.
• Many of Matsukata's paintings were lost due to earthquakes, war, or confiscation.
• Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' series had one version destroyed in a WWII bombing in Japan.
• Another Van Gogh portrait, Dr. Gachet, was sold to a Japanese collector and later vanished.
• The influence of Japanese ukiyo-e on Impressionist painters is detailed.
• Professor Jeon recommends visiting the National Museum of Western Art and Artizon Museum in Tokyo.
• The cultural exchange between Japan and Europe profoundly shaped modern art.