VAN GOGH MUSEUM

The people of Amstelloden logically decided to pay tribute to Vincent Van Gogh with this superb museum, built in 1973. Sober, modern and transparent, it houses some 200 of the artist's paintings (almost a quarter of his total output) and over 500 drawings and sketches, as well as various documents and objects that once belonged to him. No other collection gives such a complete picture of the work of this painter, who produced hundreds of canvases in just a few years.
The works on display are not all of equal value, but arranged with respect for Van Gogh's artistic evolution, they allow us to follow his progress. A library, whose archives are unfortunately not open to the public, contains over 700 letters from the artist's extensive correspondence, notably with his brother Theo. The museum also exhibits a number of canvases by painters of the same period, giving a fairly precise idea of Van Gogh's artistic and cultural universe.

On the first floor, paintings from Theo's private collection are displayed in rotation, including works by Toulouse-Lautrec, Émile Bernard and Henri Fantin-Latour. The cafeteria and bookshop are on the same level, in the main hall.

On the second floor, the different periods of Van Gogh's work follow one another in chronological order: the Drenthe period (1883), Nuenen (1883-1885), Antwerp (1885-1886), Paris (1886-1888). The most moving, the last works of the artist's life, are divided into three periods: the Arles period (1888-1889), probably the best-known, and whose Les Tournesols made headlines again a few years ago; the Saint-Rémy period (1889-1890) and, finally, the last hours at Auvers-sur-Oise (1890), which include the famous Champ de blé aux corbeaux (Wheatfield with Crows), a dramatic lyricism that is somewhat calmed, and where the crows seem to herald the impending death that is already haunting the artist.

The second floor features prints and drawings by Van Gogh's contemporaries, as well as some of his less important paintings. Particular emphasis is placed on the many letters written by Van Gogh (many to his brother Theo). On the painter's family, but also on his friends and the many drawings he made over the years. Particular attention is paid to friends from Pont-Aven.

The museum's top floor features works by Gauguin and the Nabis movement (including Bonnard, Sérusier, Vuillard...), as well as temporary or traveling exhibitions, many of them very interesting.

Since September 2015, an entrance has been inaugurated, giving more air to such a popular museum! It allows visitors to move around more freely. The impressive glass construction connects the museum to the new wing via a basement. Please note: the superb boutique downstairs does not include all the books sold in the museum's own bookshop. This museum is simply exceptional!

In 2023, the museum celebrated its 50th anniversary, and throughout the year has organized festivities in line with this event and in phase with the city. At the time of writing, the 2024 program was not available. The museum remains a must-see, with its exhibition events.