Van Gogh Museum

Description

Located on Amsterdam’s Museumplein, the Van Gogh Museum is entirely dedicated to the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. Founded in 1973, it houses the world’s largest collection of the painter: more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 800 letters, complemented by works from his contemporaries and a library of over 24,000 publications.

A museum at the heart of art history

The museum traces the different stages of Van Gogh’s career, from his early years in the Netherlands to his Provençal period and his final months in Auvers-sur-Oise. Visitors can admire the artist’s most iconic works, including Sunflowers, Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles, The Potato Eaters and Wheatfield with Crows. The collections also highlight his influence on Post-Impressionism, Fauvism and 20th-century Expressionism.

A family legacy turned national institution

After Vincent’s death in 1890, his brother Theo van Gogh preserved most of his works. Theo’s widow, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, played a crucial role in promoting the painter’s oeuvre. Their son, Vincent Willem van Gogh, founded the Vincent van Gogh Foundation in 1960, which transferred the collection to the Dutch state in 1962. This donation made it possible to create the museum, ensuring the preservation and valorisation of the family heritage.

An emblematic architecture

The main building was designed by Gerrit Rietveld and inaugurated in 1973. It is characterised by its modernist style, combining glass and concrete around a large open central space. In 1999, a new wing by Kisho Kurokawa was added, creating a harmonious contrast between geometric rigour and curved lines. This extension hosts temporary exhibitions, while the main building is dedicated to the permanent collection.

A dynamic and ever-evolving venue

The Van Gogh Museum is not limited to displaying paintings: it regularly organises temporary exhibitions exploring connections between Van Gogh and other artists or movements. In 2006, it presented a major exhibition featuring Rembrandt and Caravaggio, and more recently, in 2023, an original collaboration linking Van Gogh’s universe with Pokémon. These initiatives help make art accessible to an increasingly wide and diverse audience.

Notable episodes

The museum has experienced several high-profile thefts, notably in 1991 and 2002, during which major works were stolen before eventually being recovered. These incidents led to reinforced security, making the museum one of the most closely monitored institutions in Europe.

A must-see visit in Amsterdam

Beyond its exceptional collection, the Van Gogh Museum captivates visitors with its bright architecture, peaceful atmosphere and the sense of closeness it creates with the artist. It is an essential stop for understanding not only Van Gogh’s work, but also the development of modern Dutch art.