THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606250116
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 37 lines
Beginning July 2, Norfolk art patrons will get a rare opportunity to view one of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings firsthand, thanks to a loan by an anonymous donor.
Van Gogh's ``Orchard with Peach Blossom'' will be displayed at the Chrysler Museum's Impressionistic Skylight Gallery through Sept. 1, alongside works by Alfred Sisley, Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin and Paul Signac.
``The chance in this day and age of skyrocketing prices to see any Van Gogh is rare,'' said Rick Salzberg, a spokesman for the Chrysler. ``But this one is one of his finest. It's astounding.''
Painted in 1888, the work is one of more than 200 that Van Gogh produced during his 15 months in the south of France at Arles during ``an astonishing burst of creativity,'' marking the climax of his career, said the Chrysler's chief curator, Jefferson Harrison.
During this period, Van Gogh, shaken by a quarrel with Gaugin, suffered the first of several bouts of madness that ultimately led to his suicide in July 1890.
Inspired by the ``dazzling light and brilliant colors of Provence,'' the painting is done in vibrant pinks, yellows and blues. The focus is on a group of landscapes with fruit trees.
``This work is a large one for Van Gogh,'' Salzberg said. ``Most of his canvases were smaller than you'd expect considering the largeness of his talent.''
The identity of the painting's owner is a closely guarded secret, even to most of the Chrysler staff, Salzberg added.
At the request of the collector, photographs of the work will not be released until after the unveiling.
``It's all very mysterious ... but exciting,'' Salzberg said.
The Chrysler is at 245 Olney Road. by CNB