This exhibition of still life paintings features around 20 works by Vincent van Gogh, including the Sunflowers painting owned by the Sompo Museum of Art, as well as some 50 works by other artists. The Van Gogh’s works are placed within the chronology of European still life paintings from the 17th to the early 20th centuries and explores what he learned from his predecessors, how they influenced his own works, and the impact they had on future artists. In addition, the exhibition will also include a section focusing on the Sunflowers painting, which will introduce the works of Van Gogh and artists of his era that painted flowers and sunflowers, while also examining why they chose these particular subjects.

Known as a wandering painter of artistic genius who captured the hearts of many people with his hari-e collages of nostalgic Japanese landscapes, Kiyoshi Yamashita (1922-1971) would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2022. This retrospective exhibition takes the viewer through the life of Kiyoshi Yamashita, a prolific artist who continued to create works of art until his death at the age of 49. The array of works to be shown include sketches from when he was a child, his famed hari-e collages inspired by his endless wanderings around Japan, as well as his oil paintings, ceramics and pen drawings. Kiyoshi Yamashita is also well known thanks to dramas and films portraying his life, and in this exhibition we seek to offer viewers an opportunity to examine anew his true self as an artist dedicated to his work, with a personality that was sensitive and unassuming in nature.

Brittany is a region of northwest France, known for having rich scenery and unique culture. This exhibition introduces a wide range of sceneries and customs and the history of this area, through the works of artists drawn to the Brittany region. The coastline with its deep green sea and steep cliffs, the unique landscape interwoven with plains and dense forests, and the humble lifestyles and pious faith of the people who live there, have all stim-ulated the interest of many artists since the beginning of the 19th century. You can experience the beauty of Brittany, France’s frontier region, through around 70 oil paintings, prints and drawings from 45 artists, including from the collection at the Musée des beaux-arts de Quimper, which owns many works related to Brittany.

This is the 11th exhibition of works submitted for the Sompo Museum of Art’s contemporary painting competition, FACE. As a "gateway to success" for new and emerging artists, regardless of age or affiliation, this exhibition features approximately 80 works selected from pieces submitted by artists across Japan, and among these nine are chosen for awards. Enjoy these works that capture the sensibilities of the times through various techniques and motifs. These are works believed to possess true power with the potential to be recognized internationally in the future. An audience award will also be presented based on votes submitted by the exhibition visitors.