New York, Shanghai – The Van Gogh Museum has appointed IMG as its exclusive licensing representative for North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, China and some parts of Europe to make the iconic work of Vincent van Gogh more accessible to people around the world through licensed consumer products. IMG replaces Moxie & Co. and Long Wise in the U.S. and China, respectively,  and will take the brand into new territories in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.  Licensing Link will continue to represent the brand in the UK.

Commissioned by the Dutch Government, The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam opened in 1973 and houses the world’s largest collection of works by the artist and serves as the official curator of the Van Gogh legacy.

Vincent van Gogh was a post-impressionist painter whose works highly influenced 20th-century painting. Undeniably amongst the most famous artists of all time, Van Gogh’s work is so distinctive as to be recognized even by the uninitiated and his best-known pieces are familiar images of the cultural landscape. Not only his art, but also Van Gogh’s emotion-charged life-story, which epitomizes modern culture’s notions and sympathies for the “tortured artist”, has been romanticized repeatedly in music and poetry, inspiring successive generations of youth.

IMG will work with the museum to bring some of his most celebrated masterpieces, including ‘Sunflowers’, ‘Almond Blossom’, ‘Irisses’ and self-portraits, to new platforms of exposure through cross-category brand partnerships and collaborations. His iconic imagery and signature style will be applied to elevate the aesthetic of products ranging from fashion apparel to designer items for home décor.

Laurine van Rooijen, Head of Licensing and Wholesale at the Van Gogh Museum, said: “IMG enables us – through collaborations – to reach out to people all over the world who have a personal connection with the museum and the artist, and to reach those who don’t have this kind of connection yet. We hope that together with IMG we can inspire people with stories about Van Gogh, and show them there might be a link between him and their own personal lives. This contributes to our mission to make Van Gogh’s life and work accessible to as diverse a group of people as possible, to enrich and inspire them. It also contributes to the management and preservation of Van Gogh’s heritage for future generations.”

Sven Thierhoff, VP of Licensing, IMG, added: “Van Gogh’s work is widely recognised as having the power of a cultural brand, enriching and inspiring individuals everywhere. We feel extremely privileged to be working with the prestigious Van Gogh Museum, which houses the world’s largest Van Gogh collection, and together we look forward to making his art accessible to people who might not have the opportunity to visit and experience it for themselves.”

IMG will extend Van Gogh’s rich portfolio of art through brand collaborations in product areas such as clothing, fashion accessories, home decor, cosmetics, fine stationery, gifting and collectibles. The agency expects to work with brands ranging from luxury labels to youth-oriented fast fashion retailers, as well as consumer durable items with a strong design profile such as high-end white goods, consumer electronics and kitchen appliances.

The Van Gogh Museum opened in Amsterdam to make the works of Vincent van Gogh accessible to the public. It houses more than 200 Van Gogh paintings, 500 drawings and 700 written documents including letters to Vincent’s brother Theo

For more information on licensing opportunities, visit www.imglicensing.com

About Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s art with over 200 paintings, close to 500 drawings and more than 700 letters. Vincent van Gogh’s work takes visitors on a journey through his life and shows the ideas and ambition behind his art. The museum has over 2.1 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Van Gogh Museum develops various products and services under the brand name ‘Van Gogh Museum Enterprises’ (VGME), inspired by the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. It is our mission to inspire as many people as possible by the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. Which is why products in the web shop and collaborations with different partners tell Vincent van Gogh’s story. All products and services are being developed with Vincent van Gogh’s heritage in mind and all profits contribute to maintaining the Van Gogh Museum’s activities.

About IMG 

IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. The company manages some of the world’s greatest athletes and fashion icons; owns and operates hundreds of live events annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in licensing, sports training and league development. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports and content company.

Jo Robertson | IMG

Corporate Communications
T: +44 (0)208 233 6854 • M: +44 (0) 7392 088227 • Joanna.robertson@img.com

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