Conversation: Rembrandt vs Van Gogh—Pushing the Boundaries of Dutch Painting

Thu, May 29 - Thu, May 29  2025

Art Institute of Chicago

Join curators Jacquelyn N. Coutré and Gloria Groom at the Art Institute of Chicago for a lively and insightful conversation about two of the Netherlands' most celebrated painters: Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van Gogh. Though separated by centuries, both artists pushed the boundaries of Dutch painting in profound and lasting ways.

This program will explore how Rembrandt and Van Gogh’s unique ambitions and groundbreaking achievements both aligned and diverged. The discussion will examine the influence Rembrandt may have had on Van Gogh, while also addressing what distinguishes their work and how each artist reshaped the visual language of their time. Through this lens, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of what makes these two figures enduring icons in global art history.

About the Speakers

Jacquelyn N. Coutré is the Eleanor Wood Prince Curator in Painting and Sculpture of Europe at the Art Institute of Chicago. Since joining in 2019, she has led the reinstallation of the museum’s 17th-century Dutch and Flemish galleries, curated the 2023 exhibition Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape, and acquired works by Edwaert Collier and Maria van Oosterwijck. Her expertise lies in early modern Northern European art, particularly Rembrandt’s circle and collecting practices.

Gloria Groom serves as chair and Winton Green Curator, Painting and Sculpture of Europe, and executive director of initiatives in France at the Art Institute of Chicago. Her extensive curatorial work includes major exhibitions such as Van Gogh’s Bedrooms (2016), Monet and Chicago (2020–21), Manet and Modern Beauty (2019), and the forthcoming Gustave Caillebotte: Painting Men (2025). She is a leading voice in 19th-century French painting and its international resonance.