Spurred on by Oscar and Thanh, I visited the ‘Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum‘ in Amsterdam. A good reason to visit the Van Gogh Museum, as I never did before. 

“Pokémon’s Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax and many others are at the Van Gogh Museum until 7 January 2024! Join the Pokémon Adventure, see Pokémon paintings inspired by famous Van Gogh masterpieces, or get creative and draw Pikachu.” 

To celebrate the museum’s 50th anniversary, Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum have launched this collaboration. Together, they developed various educational activities based on the shared link with Japanese art and culture: Pokémon is a Japanese pop culture icon and Japanese prints were a significant source of inspiration for Vincent van Gogh.

The Pokémon collaboration has caused quite a stir. Initially aimed at children, adults have taken over. Many merchandise items are sold out, the promotional cards featuring ‘Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat‘ by Naoyo Kimura (1960) is not distributed anymore. On social media, images of a Black Friday-like frenzy are quite shocking.

The museum should have known better. Pokémon started in 1996. People who were children and teenagers then, are now the adults being able to afford to come to Amsterdam. This should have been thought through and organised better.

Anyway.

Pokémon at the Van Gogh Museum

Let’s address the Cuphant in the room. The Pokémon artwork is cute and inspired. Both literally and as a figure of speech. But… it’s only one wall. One yellow wall with six paintings.

And yes, there’s an ‘adventure’ to do and you can learn how to draw Pikachu. 

But I would have done it differently and integrated the Pokémon paintings in the permanent set-up, to spread the pleasure.

Ah well.

The permanent collection

Okay, let’s talk about the Van Gogh Museum proper. It’s very comprehensive with a lot of artwork by Van Gogh but also by his friends and colleagues such as Paul Gaugin. 

The museum mixes a chronological with a thematic approach. His life, work, eras and mental health are being analysed. 

Three levels show a myriad of paintings, drawings and some of his letters and other Van Gogh objects.

So?

On the way home, I was wondering if liked the Pokémon collaboration or not. The answer is yes, but it’s also a missed opportunity.

The Van Gogh Museum as such is certainly well done. Allow a few hours.