Van Gogh Museum

...of Amsterdam's many museums, The Van Gogh Museum.

BACKGROUND

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) didn't even start painting until he was 27 years old. He had already tried several other professions such as a lay preacher, schoolmaster and art dealer, none of them with much success. Largely self taught his early works were landscapes and townscapes. It was later on that he took to painting farm life depictions and his most famous ...
...artists such as Paul Gauguin, Van Gogh suffered several bouts of madness. Famously during one outburst he cut off part of his left ear! He even admitted himself to a mental health clinic in Saint-Remy, near Arles, France in 1889. He never really recovered though and on 27th July 1890 he shot himself in the chest, dying two days later from his wounds. Despite his paintings now being worth millions he died destitute , as he only ever sold one of the ... more

Having just returned from a weekend in Amsterdam I thought I'd share one of my experiences with you. Surprise, surprise, it's nothing to do with the red light district or one of the city's multitude of 'coffee shops' either. Oh no, it's one of Amsterdam's many museums, The Van Gogh Museum.

BACKGROUND

Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) didn't even start painting until he was 27 years old. He had already tried several other professions such as a lay preacher, schoolmaster and art dealer, none of them with much success. Largely self taught his early works were landscapes and townscapes. It was later on that he took to painting farm life depictions and his most famous still life paintings.

The last 10 years of his life were spent in a number of locations around the Netherlands and France and each reflected a different stage in his painting style and mental well being. Despite spending most of this time with his brother Theo and other contemporary artists such as Paul Gauguin, Van Gogh suffered several bouts of madness. Famously during one outburst he cut off part of his left ear! He even admitted himself to a mental health clinic in Saint-Remy, near Arles, France in 1889. He never really recovered though and on 27th July 1890 he shot himself in the chest, dying two days later from his wounds. Despite his paintings now being worth millions he died destitute , as he only ever sold one of the hundreds of paintings he produced.

Following Van Gogh's death and that of his brother Theo 6 months later stewardship of his collection ulimately passed to his nephew Vincent Willem Van Gogh (1890-1978). In 1962 the works which still remained in the family collection were purchased by the newly established Vincent Van Gogh Foundation. The funds were provided by the Dutch government which also financed the construction of the museum building designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld. The museum first opened in 1973. It's design seems out of place amongst some of Amsterdams grander, much older buildings, but it's quirkiness match's that of Van Gogh's personality.

WHAT'S TO SEE?

The museum is arranged across four floors and also has an exhibition wing.

- Ground floor - Besides being the museum enterance the ground floor also houses the audio tour booth, restaurant, cloak room, toilets and museum shop. More on these facilities later though, except the cloakroom. The cloakroom is necessary as you are not allowed to take any large bags into the main exhibition areas of the museum, it is however, free of charge. There's also a possibility that you'll be subjected to a cursory search as you also have to pass through security barriers before entering. Audio tours are also available on this floor for €1,50, which consist of a mobile phone sized handset with headphones. Versions in several languages are available. A small selection of the museums permanent collection is housed on this floor too, featuring paintings by some of Van Gogh's 19th century contemporary artists. This is however only a prelude to the museums main attraction on the next floor.

- First Floor - This features the museums main collection of Van Gogh works. It's split into five chronological sections, each featuring the works from different periods in his career:- The Netherlands (1880-1886), Paris (1886-1888), Arles (1888-1889), Saint-Remy (1889-1890) and Auvers-sur-Oise (1890). The change in style during each of these periods is quite noticable. All the exhibits have a brief description of the painting next to them as well as a brief overview of it. Some of the paintings on display include; The Potato Eaters, The Courtesan, The Bedroom, Sunflowers (I was amazed to discover that there are actually 5 different surviving versions of this painting in existence), Irises In A Vase (on loan from the nearby Rijksmuseum) and Wheat Field With A Reaper. Some of these paintings really blew me away and to see them close up and in the flesh (so to speak) was truly inspiring. I just hope Mrs Scampi isn't thinking they've inspired me so much that when I come to paint the hallway and stairs soon, that I'll produce some fresco to rival the Cisteen Chapel roof! Unfortunately none of Van Gogh's collection of letters and drawings were on display when we visited, as they're only displayed occasionally due to their sensitivity to light.

- Second Floor - This houses varying presentations of paintings, drawings and graphic art by artists who have either influenced, or been influenced by, Van Gogh. There's certainly quite an eclectic mix of art on this floor, although I have to say that none of it really inspired me as much as the first floor's exhibits. The second floor also houses a study centre where you can view the reserve collection and find out more about Van Gogh and 19th century art.

- Third Floor - A fairly similar mix of exhibits to those on the first floor, although it does contain a few more of Van Gogh's own works, including one of his many self portraits (apparently he painted 27 self portraits as he couldn't afford models to sit for him). Paintings by Paul Gauguin, Eduoard Manet and Henri de Tolouse-Lautrec are also exhibited on this floor as well as a statue by Rodin. I found this floor far more interseting than the second floor and really appreciated the art on display.

- Exhibition Wing - This backs onto the museum in Museumplein (Museum square) and is used to house temporary exhibitions. Currently on display is a selection of (present day) photo's of places where Van Gogh lived during his life. I was surprised to learn that he'd lived in the UK for a short time in both Brixton and Ramsgate. The main exhibition though is 'Manet By The Sea' featuting a range of seascapes by the French impressionist painter Eduoard Manet. I felt this display enhanced the value of my visit to the museum.

OTHER FACILITIES

Restaurant:- The museum has a clean,spacious restaurant offering a good selection of hot and cold snacks and drinks including jacket potatoes, quiche, salads, sandwiches,cakes, gateau and pastries. The food looked fresh and tasty and was very reasonably priced. Two pastries and two cappuccino's cost €6,70 (£4.80), which compared favourably to elsewhere in the city. I'd have expected higher prices in a visitor attraction such as this.

Shop:- Offered a selection of prints featuring many of the works on display throughout the museum. Also a selection of postcards, books, paints and paint sets, and other souvenirs. Pricing was not overly high either and the staff were courteous and polite.

Toilets:- Situated on both the ground floor and in the exhibition wing, these were spotlessly clean.

Wheelchair / Pram access:- The museum had a lift to all floors and all areas on every floor were fully accessible to wheelchair users. There's also a lift outside the museum entrance for wheelchairs and prams as the entrance is up a number of stairs.

GETTING THERE

The museum is situated at Paulus Potterstraat 7, which is just to the south west of the city centre. It's easy to reach via public transport with tram lines 2,3,5,and 12; and bus numbers 170, 171 and 172 all stopping nearby. A few canal buses stop about 5 minutes walk from the museum too.

OPENING HOURS

The museum is open from 10.00 - 18.00 Saturday to Thursday and from 10.00 - 22.00 on a Friday. New Years and Christmas Day are the only days the museum isn't open. The ticket office and restaurant close half an hour before the museum closes and the shop 15 minutes before the museum closes.

ADMISSION

Adults - €12,50 (£8.90)*
Children 13-17 - €2,50 (£1.80)
Children under 12 - Free
Audio Tour - €1,50 (£1.10)
Under 26 Pass Holders - €6,50 (£4.60)
(this is a European pass giving reduced rates for museums, theatres and concerts).

Group discounts can be arranged, through direct contact with the museum.

OVERALL VIEW

With its superb displays of some truly awesome paintings, excellent signage (Dutch and English), easy accessibility and knowledgable, polite staff it's an essential visit if you're in Amsterdam seeking a little bit more than the usual.

www.vangoghmuseum.nl
www.vangoghmuseumshop.com

* For conversion purposes I used an exchange rate of €1,40 to £1.00.
 

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