The Sompo Museum of Art was completed its relocation project and opened early July in a new annex building located on the same grounds as the headquarters of Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, aiming to become a beacon of art appreciation and a local art landmark.
A special exhibition commemorating its opening features selected works from its collection, including the painting "Sunflowers" by Vincent van Gogh.
Formerly located on the 42nd floor of the company headquarters building under a different name, the museum was renamed the Sompo Museum of Art and then relocated to the new six-story-high building.
The art museum, originally opened in 1976, acquired Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" for about 5.3 billion yen at auction in 1987. It has also been increasing its collection with the works of other famous painters such as Cezanne, attracting more than 6 million people as of March of this year
The museum operator in 2015 started planning for relocation to solve facility-related problems, such as not being able to enlarge the elevator used for moving works of art.
The new location's opening, originally planned for earlier this year, was delayed until July due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The new museum building boasts a rounded, sculptural appearance, harmonizing with the uniquely-shaped headquarters building. A ceramic panel reproduction of "Sunflowers" is on display in front of the museum's main entrance area.
There are exhibition rooms from the third to fifth floors. The ongoing special exhibition includes French modern paintings and masterpieces of Japanese painting by artists such as Kaii Higashiyama.
The total square footage of the exhibition areas remains mostly unchanged from the original museum's. Its bright, mostly white space allows visitors to enjoy the works of art in a relaxing atmosphere.
The centerpiece of this exhibition is one of the seven "Sunflowers" pieces painted by Van Gogh that is on display, protected by a colorless, low-reflective glass case to let visitors experience it up close.
This piece was painted in 1888, the same year as another painting in the "Sunflowers" series on display at an exhibition titled the "Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London," being held at The National Museum of Western Art in Ueno, Tokyo, until Oct. 18.
This is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the two "Sunflowers" pieces that have converged in Tokyo this summer.
The museum also displays how works of art are repaired to be preserved and handed down to future generations.
Renoir's "Baigneuse" (Bathing woman) has had its original vivid colors restored with the removal of its old varnish coating. Kayo Yamaguchi's "Cherry Leaves" has had its distorted framework corrected and now can be displayed for the first time in about 10 years. Digital images illustrating the careful technique of applying color to the silk canvas of the byobu-e folding screen painting can also be seen.
"I want to make this museum featuring 'Sunflowers' a natural part of people's daily lives," said museum director Ryuta Nakajima.
This special exhibition is scheduled to continue through Sept. 4 and will be closed every Monday except Aug. 10.
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