Several of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous works from the permanent collection of the Van Gogh Museum served as inspiration for six paintings made by artists from The Pokémon Company. Examples include, Pikachu shown in a work that is inspired by Self-portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887), the Pokémon Sunflora is hidden in a variant of Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers (1889), and you can find Snorlax and Munchlax relaxing in a work inspired by The Bedroom (1888). You can admire these six specially created paintings on the first floor of the Rietveld building (Rietveldgebouw) A special activity task is available for fans old and young that have you go through the museum to find out facts about Vincent Van Gogh to complete a puzzle on a leaflet. If you complete it, you will be given a special Promotional Card. Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, Mathieu Galante commented ‘We are always looking for fantastic partners that we can create unique and joyful experiences with for Pokémon fans, and we have genuinely found that in working with the Van Gogh Museum. There is a strong link between the inspiration behind Pokémon and the inspiration behind some of Vincent Van Gogh’s most famous work. With this collaboration we really hope that we can see children discovering and immersing themselves into the world of art through the incredible works of Van Gogh and Pokémon.’

The Van Gogh Museum Shop will also feature an exclusive range of Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum merchandise featuring art from the collaboration. Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Pikachu Inspired by Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat Canvas Wall Art Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Eevee Inspired by Self-Portrait with Straw Hat Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves) AMSTERDAM – Sept. 27, 2023 – See Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax and many other Pokémon in a whole new way starting Sept. 28 until Jan. 7, 2024 at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Experience a variety of Pokémon themed activities across the museum and online aimed at introducing and teaching young budding artists about the works of Vincent van Gogh.This piece featured Smeargle as the focal point due to the notion of this painting being one of Vincent doing a self portrait behind an easel and canvas, with Smeargle being the top choice.

In the studio, there is also a place for kids to learn how to draw Pikachu through a video created by Pokémon artist, Ken Sugimori. This artwork is based on the classic Self-Portrait with a Grey Felt Hat and features Pikachu in a similar pose with similar brush strokes Emilie Gordenker, General Director of the Van Gogh Museum commented: ‘This collaboration will allow the next generation to get to know Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way. The Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company International have drawn on many years of educational expertise to create a special experience for children, their supervisors, and we hope many others at the Van Gogh Museum.’ The Pokémon Company International Partners With The Van Gogh Museum For Special ‘Pokémon x Van Gogh’ Art Collaboration Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Corviknight Inspired by Wheatfield with Crows Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves)Pokémon Center × Van Gogh Museum: Munchlax & Snorlax Inspired by The Bedroom Card Sleeves (65 Sleeves)

To celebrate the 50 th Anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum, Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum have launched an official collaboration aimed at introducing new audiences to the work of Vincent van Gogh. Both Vincent van Gogh’s work and Pokémon have a special connection with Japanese art and culture. Japanese prints had a profound impact on Vincent’s art and on his world view. Speaking to his brother Theo in a letter in September 1888, Vincent said ‘And we wouldn’t be able to study Japanese art, it seems to me, without becoming much happier and more cheerful, and it makes us return to nature, despite our education and our work in a world of convention.’ Pokémon x Van Gogh online learning material – Van Gogh at School (Upper primary lower secondary education level)Vincent greatly admired everything related to Japan, and Japanese prints taught him to look at the world differently. The use of flat planes of strong colors, everyday subjects and attention for detail in nature spoke to him. Using the Pokémon x Van Gogh collaboration as a starting point, pupils will learn about the connection between Van Gogh and Japan, and about how inspiration can work in two directions.The teaching materials are available in both Dutch and English. Thank you for your understanding and continued support." We apologize to all the fans eagerly awaiting our Pokémon Center x Van Gogh Museum release today.