ZUNDERT.- Arnulf Rainer exhibition opens in Vincent van GoghHuis in Zundert. For the first time museums visitors can admire his new series of art pieces, inspired by Vincent van Gogh.

The exhibition Arnulf Rainer on van Gogh will be held at Vincent van GoghHuis in Zundert from 19 September 2010 until 6 February 2011.

Arnulf Rainer (1929) has gained international fame with 'Übermahlungen' (overpaintings). In his urge for perfection, he repeatedly paints over his own work and that of others. He also uses his own self-portrait and portraits of other artists as a background for expressive drawings and paintings.

Since the mid '70s Rainer has made a series of stunning portraits of van Gogh. In the series he transformed Vincentʼs face expression into the most strange grimaces. “This is not mockery” – says Ron Dirven, Director of the Vincent van GoghHuis and the exhibition curator – “Rainer painted them with a feeling of affinity with the artist whom he admires so much, in whose obsession or 'craziness' he recognizes a part of himself”.

During the exhibition visitors have a chance to see more than 50 portraits on Van Gogh. Displayed works come from Rainerʼs own studio and collections of Museum Frieder Burda, Landesmuseum Niederöstereich, Museum Würth and the Vincent van GoghHuis.

“We have also a surprise for our visitors” – adds Dirven. “Rainer has recently been working on a new van Gogh series, which is of a more colorful and contemplative nature. Exclusively for the Vincent van GoghHuis he made a portrait of Vincent in his youth, Zundert period years. We show it during the exhibition”.

A signed sample of a photo print of aforementioned work can be found in the show catalogue. Limited number of this luxurious compilation of Rainerʼs work will be offered in the Museumʼs shop during the exhibition.