>>> THIS YEAR THE FOCUS IS ON VINCENT VAN GOGH AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

CHICAGO TONIGHT WANTED TO GET A PREVIEW OF VAN GOGH ON THE GO.

>> THE STAR ATTRACTION HERE IS VINCENT VAN GOGH, AND HE HAS A STELLAR SUPPORTING CAST, INCLUDING PAINTERS GEORGE SIROTA, AND NEIL BERNARD , AND LOTS OF LANDSCAPES FROM THE SUBURBS OF PARIS IN THE 19th CENTURY.

IT IS CALLED VAN GOGH AND THE AVANT-GARDE, THE MODERN LANDSCAPE.

WE TOURED THE EXHIBITION WITH ONE OF THE CURATORS.

>> THE MONTHS THAT HE SPENT IN THE NORTHWESTERN SUBURBS OF PARIS IS IN MANY WAYS THE MISSING LINK IN HIS ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT.

IT WAS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF PARIS WHERE THERE WAS THE MOMENT OF LEISURE AND THAT HE LEARNED TO SEE COLOR BY ENGAGING WITH THESE ARTISTS.

>> THERE WERE FACTORIES, TRAINS, BRIDGES AND BOATS.

EVEN A FAIRGROUND.

>> LOOKING AT THE CHANGES OF PARIS THROUGH THE MODERNIZATION OF THE CITY MAKE IT WHAT WE KNOW TODAY.

WE HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE MOVING TO THE SUBURBS BECAUSE THEY COULD NO LONGER AFFORD TO LIVE IN PARIS AND THEY WERE COMMITTING WITH THE TRAIN.

WE HAD DAYTRIPPERS GOING OUT AND SELLING ON THE PROMENADE, AND PICNICKING.

>> THE RAT, THE MOST FAMOUS EXAMPLE IS PICNICKING ON THE PROMENADE, BY SURAT .

THERE ARE SIMILAR CANVASES FROM OTHER PAINTERS.

>> THIS EXHIBITION COULD NOT HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHOUT MUTUAL INFLUENCE BY THESE ARTISTS.

WE KNOW THAT SOME OF THEM PAINTED ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER AND OTHERS WERE SIMPLY IN COMMUNICATION, VISITING EACH OTHER STUDIOS.

I THINK THIS EXHIBITION DEMONSTRATES THE POWER OF CREATIVE EXCHANGE, TO REALLY EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF PAINTING.

THEY ARE TAKING PAINTING BEYOND WHAT IMPRESSIONISTS HAVE ALREADY DONE.

THEY ARE SEEKING TO CREATE A VERY METHODICAL APPROACH TO PAINTING AS OPPOSED TO THE FLEETING IMPRESSION THAT THEY ARE CALLING FOR.

>> Reporter: FOR CHICAGO TONIGHT, THIS IS MARK VITELLI.

>> THIS WAS COORDINATOR BY THE