Introduction
The city of Amsterdam is known for museums
and canals. And when we talk about museums, the first name that
comes to mind is the famous Van Gogh Museum. Visiting this museum
is an experience in itself. The museum houses the most comprehensive
collection of Vincent van Gogh’s works. The collection
covers the trajectory of the artists’ evolution and also
provides with the opportunity to compare the works with the
works of other eminent artists from 19th century.
The grandeur of the museum is harmoniously
united in the museums two buildings, the main structure of which
was designed by Gerrit Rietveld and was established in 1973;
the Exhibition Wing was opened in 1999 and was created by Kisho
Kurokawa. The finishing, rebuilding and remodeling of these
two buildings are done by a number of other architects and designers.
Location
Van Gogh Museum enjoys an ideal location in
the Museum Quarter district of Amsterdam between Rijksmuseum
and Stedelijk Museum. Museumplein is in close vicinity to the
museum.
Transport
You can reach the museum easily by tram numbers 2 and 5 from
the Central Station. Trams 3 and 12 take you to the crossing
point of Paulus Potterstraat and Van Baerlestraat from where
the museum is just a few minutes walk.
Timings
The timings of the museum are as follows:
Opening Hours
 Museum: daily
10.00-18.00 hrs.; Friday 10.00-22.00 hrs.
Ticket office:
daily 10.00-17.30 hrs.; Friday 10.00-21.30 hrs.
Shop: daily
10.00-17.45 hrs.; Friday to 10.00-21.45 hrs.
Restaurant:
daily 10.00-17.30 hrs.; Friday to 10.00-21.30 hrs.
Library Museumplein
4: Mon to Fri 10.00-12.30 hrs. and 13.30-17.00 hrs.
The museum remains closed on 1st January every year.
History
Van Gogh Museum dates back to 1973. Originally
designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, the construction
was completed by the partners of Gerrit Rietveld after his death.
The original owner of these finest of collections was Theo van
Gogh (1857–1891), Vincent's younger brother. After Theo’s
death, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, his widow, inherited it. Although
a large portion was sold, she withhold a major part of it, especially
those important phases of Van Gogh’s masterpiece. Her
son, Vincent Willem van Gogh, gained possession of this memorable
array of creativity owing to her death in 1925. In 1962, the
Dutch government urged him to transfer these creations to the
Vincent van Gogh Foundation. Since then, the museum houses a
bunch of these finely depicted works of art.
Collections
The Van Gogh Museum harbours a collection
of more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 letters including
the artist’s own collection of Japanese prints. Creations
of other 19th century painters and sculptors can also be witnessed
in this fantastic museum. You can find the permanent collection
designed by Gerrit Rietveld in its main building. Paintings
as well as written documents of Van Gogh are all ordered in
a chronological pattern dividing them into five periods. Each
period represents a distinct stage of Van Gogh’s life
and work: the Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint Remy and Auvers-sur-Oise.
Permanent collections of other 19th century artists like Paul
Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec are also found here.
The nineteenth century artists have also produced large quantities
of prints including cabaret posters, theatre programmes, invitations
and menu with a more pragmatic purpose. All these are showcased
in Van Gogh’s print collection.
Here is a short list of the famous paintings by Van Gogh, which
adorns the museum treasure:
Cottages:
1883
Bobbin winder:
1884
Woman winding
yarn: 1885
Flying fox:
1885
Head of a
woman: 1885
The potato
eaters: 1885
Still life
with bible: 1885
Exhibitions
Numerous manifestations of artistic collections
are displayed in the form of exhibitions at Van Gogh Museum.
Such expositions have always been a part and parcel of the museum.
The past has witnessed works of Odilon Redon and Emile Bernard
under the title of “The Bonger collection”, “Forget
me not” demonstrating photography and remembrance, impressions
of the sea under the name of “Edouard Manet” and
many more.
A series of annual exhibitions of work on paper
from the Stedelijk collection are at present being featured
in the Van Gogh Museum. The paintings and drawings of Van Gogh
that have met with discolouration are at display in the museum’s
Rietveld building commencing from 13 October 2004 and continuing
till 29 May 2005.
From 2 July 2005 to 18 September 2005 the Van
Gogh Museum will exhibit the best of drawings by Vincent van
Gogh. His life as a draughtsman is well manifested in his works
that have been brought together from both private and public
collections.
All these magnificent exhibitions add value
to the existing features of the museum.
Publications
Van Gogh Museum, in a joint venture with renowned
international publishers like Mercatorfonds, Thames and Hudson,
Abrams, Waanders Publishers and NAI Publishers, undertakes various
publication programmes that feature books on Vincent van Gogh
and his time, the museum's collection, recent research, and
exhibitions.
Research & Library
Since the mid 1980s the Van Gogh Museum makes
an ardent effort to nurture in-depth research on the life and
works on Van Gogh as well as in general. This endeavour fostered
the museum to be recognized as an international centre of academic
research on the life and works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries.
A well-equipped documentation centre and an accumulative library
are among the important features of the Van Gogh Museum.
Reading room
The museum facilitates a reading room in the
second floor where you can find extensive information on Van
Gogh, his works and the 19th century art in books and computers.
A large variety of smaller works from the museum collection
are within easy access at the ‘open depot’.
Museum shop
The life and works of Vincent van Gogh and
his contemporaries are being accumulated in the museum shop
located on the ground floor of the building. Beautiful, high
quality reproductions, stationery and other souvenirs are also
sold over here. The fund collected through such purchases goes
to the benefit of the museum and mainly to gather more artistic
collections.
Friday Night
Van Gogh Museum remains open till 22.00 hours
every Friday night. Accompanied by the effort of its promoting
partner, Rabobank, the museum arranges for special programmes
in the Friday evenings. For example the “Letter cycle”
focuses attention on the letters of Vincent van Gogh, the “Art
café” held in the central hall exhibits interviews
and live music, the “Gradual and Persistent loss of Control”
elicit performance by the Krisztina de Châtel dance group.
A refreshing drink can be enjoyed at the museum restaurant at
a price of Euro 13.50. New and interesting things crop up every
Friday night in the museum.
Finance
A part of the expense of the Van Gogh Museum
is meted by a subvention from the Dutch government. Moreover,
the income derived from ticket sales and museum store is also
a source fund for the workings of the museum. It also depends
a lot on patronage and sponsoring from organizations like the
Vincent van Gogh Foundation, the Prince Bernhard Fund, the Rembrandt
Society and the National Art Collection Fund. Throughout the
year the Van Gogh Museum receives ample sum from the Sponsor
Lottery assigned for their accomplishment. All these have led
the museum to collect masterpieces like Van Dongen's “Portrait
of Guus Preitinger” and two paintings by Monet from his
Dutch period.
Education and Schools
The Department of Education and Visitor Services
help you with a variety of information about group visits, tours,
and special activities for children and pupils. Moreover, various
lectures, musical and stage plays, and other events for young
and old are also organized.
A treasure hunt about Van Gogh is available
at the information desk. This comes free of charge for the children.
This allows them to gain a comprehensive knowledge on the various
works of Vincent van Gogh.
A manual for teachers (only in Dutch) with
lesson suggestions to go with the book is also published by
the Van Gogh Museum.
Guided tours
The journey around the Van Gogh Museum do
not require any prior reservation, provided the groups do not
comprise more than 15 members.
Conclusion
The Van Gogh Museum manifests collection of
a combination of emotional and artistic demonstration of the
artists. Magnificent works of Van Gogh along with masterpieces
of other nineteenth century artists are displayed in the museum.
Visitors from all over the world desire to witness the grandeur
of this abode of splendour. More than 200 paintings, 500 drawings
and 700 letters are being exhibited here. A visit to this wonderful
museum will help you gain insight on artistic demeanour of renowned
artists and painters.
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