The National Gallery in London has pulled out all the stops for Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers. If you’ve missed securing a ticket to this blockbuster exhibition, don’t despair just yet. For one night only – and we mean all night – the Gallery is opening its doors from 9pm on Friday, 17 January 2025, until 10am the next morning, in an epic finale for its sell-out masterpiece binge. Tickets for these newly added late-night slots go on sale today, Thursday 9 January, and they’re bound to fly faster than you can say “Starry Night.”
With over 280,000 visitors already wowed by the exhibition, this extra stretch of hours is pure gold for anyone still angling to see Van Gogh’s world-class works. And while staying up all night might usually come with regrets and a bad takeaway, this is an opportunity you’ll actually feel smug about.
Historical Moment: Art After Dark
This isn’t your bog-standard museum trip. It’s only the second time in history that the Gallery has thrown open its doors through the night. The first? Back in 2012, when people flocked in the wee hours to see Leonardo da Vinci: Painter at the Court of Milan.
According to Sir Gabriele Finaldi, the Gallery’s Director, this nocturnal escapade takes its cues from some of the luminaries of the art world. Lucian Freud, David Hockney, and Francis Bacon, for instance, were known to haunt the Gallery during nightly hours, letting the stillness feed their creative souls. Freud himself once quipped, “I use the gallery as if it were a doctor; I come for ideas and help.” If it’s good enough for Freud, it should be good enough for the rest of us, right?
Sir Gabriele adds, “We’re delighted that over 280,000 people have experienced Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers, and as we approach its final weekend, we’re thrilled to offer this rare chance to see the works in the otherworldly quiet of the night. Walking in the footsteps of great artists after dark, visitors will find themselves inspired by the magic of Van Gogh’s brushstrokes.”
What Makes This Exhibition Special?
While plenty of major galleries have hosted Van Gogh exhibitions, Poets and Lovers brings something fresh to the table. It’s the National Gallery’s first show dedicated entirely to Van Gogh, focusing on his vivid imagination and how he transformed the everyday into something extraordinary. Visitors have been treated to over 60 works, including pieces on loan from top museums and private collections across the globe. If you haven’t yet walked beside Van Gogh’s poetic vision of the world, well, this is your moment – and now you’ve got all-night access to do it.
Become a Member – Because Good Things Come First
Want to skip the queue or avoid disappointment? Becoming a National Gallery Member is your best bet. Members not only snag priority access to high-profile exhibitions but also enjoy a host of perks, from free entry to special events to those smug, insiders-only vibes.
If you’re already a card-carrying Member or considering joining, there are plenty of other juicy bits on the Gallery calendar. For a digital experience, check out NG Stories, marking the Gallery’s 200th birthday with fascinating deep dives into its history. There’s also Discover Constable & The Hay Wain (because what’s more British than staring into a dreamy countryside?) and Parmigianino: The Vision of Saint Jerome.
Or perhaps you fancy something boundary-pushing? Then 2024’s Artist in Residence, Katrina Palmer, and her edgy The Touch Report should be on top of your to-see list.
The Bigger Picture of NG200
This all-night affair is just one part of the National Gallery’s massive NG200 celebrations. Marking two centuries since it first opened, 2025’s milestones include the reopening of the revamped Sainsbury Wing on 10 May. Here’s the kicker – it’ll feature The Wonder of Art, a dazzlingly bold rehang of the collection. Joining it are a shiny new Supporters House and Learning Centre.
Want more must-see exhibitions? How about Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300–1350, which will bring 14th-century Italian masterpieces to London (beginning 8 March 2025). Or look further into the calendar for José María Velasco: A View of Mexico in late March, and Radical Harmony in September, which dives into Neo-Impressionist brilliance.
Not Just the Gallery – The Big Screen Experience
If, for whatever reason, you still can’t make it to the exhibition, there’s hope yet. Exhibition on Screen: Van Gogh Poets and Lovers, a detailed 90-minute documentary, offers a peek into the exhibit’s treasures. With stunning close-ups of the art, input from curators, critics, and artists, it’s the next best thing to standing in front of Sunflowers with your own eyes.
Final Thoughts
This January, the National Gallery is gifting us an unforgettable send-off to one of its most talked-about exhibitions. Whether you’re planning a midnight meander through Van Gogh’s dreamy canvases or looking ahead to the many treats still to come, one thing’s clear – the Gallery knows how to celebrate art properly.
Pack your snacks, grab a coffee (or ten), and prepare for an all-night date with Van Gogh. Just don’t blame us if you emerge bleary-eyed and thoroughly delighted.
Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers
14 September 2024 – 19 January 2025
The National Gallery
Rooms 1–8
Admission charge
Members go free
More information at the National Gallery website: Nationalgallery.org.uk