Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Near the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum (we say “van GO,” the Dutch say “van
HHHOCK”) is a cultural high even for those not into art. This remarkable museum features
works by the troubled Dutch artist whose art seemed to mirror his life. Vincent, who killed
himself in 1890 at age 37, is best known for sunny, Impressionist canvases that vibrate and
pulse with vitality. The museum's 200 paintings—which offer a virtual stroll through the
artist's work and life—were owned by Theo, Vincent's younger, art-dealer brother. If you
like brightly colored landscapes in the Impressionist style, you'll like this museum. If you
enjoy finding deeper meaning in works of art, you'll really love it. The mix of Van Gogh's
creative genius, his tumultuous life, and the traveler's determination to connect to it makes
this museum as much a walk with Vincent as with his art.
The main collection of Van Gogh paintings on the first floor is arranged chronologically,
taking you through the changes in Vincent van Gogh's life and styles. The paintings are
divided into five periods of Vincent's life—the Netherlands, Paris, Arles, St. Rémy, and
Auvers-sur-Oise—proceeding clockwise around the floor. Highlights include
Sunflowers,
The Bedroom, The Potato Eaters,
and many brooding self-portraits.
The third floor shows works that influenced Vincent, from Monet and Pissarro to
Gauguin, Cézanne, and Toulouse-Lautrec. The worthwhile audioguide includes insightful
commentariesandquotesfromVincenthimself.Temporaryexhibitsfillthenewwing,down
the escalator from the ground-floor lobby.
Cost and Hours:
€15, more for special exhibits, audioguide-€5, kids' audioguide-
€2.50, daily 9:00-17:00, Fri until 22:00—with no crowds in evening, Paulus Potterstraat
7, tram #2 or #5 from Central Station to Van Baerlestraat stop, tel. 020/570-5200,
Avoiding Lines:
Skip the 15-30-minute wait in the ticket-buying line by getting your
ticket in advance, or by getting a Museumkaart or I amsterdam Card. You can buy and print
tickets online (at
www.vangoghmuseum.com
) or at the TI.
The Netherlands' top modern-art museum is filled with a fun, far-out, and refreshing collec-
tion that includes post-1945 experimental and conceptual art as well as works by Picasso,
Chagall, Cézanne, Kandinsky, and Mondrian. The Stedelijk (STAYD-eh-lik), like the Rijks-
museum, also boasts a newly spiffed-up building, which now flaunts an architecturally dar-
ing entry facing Museumplein (near the Van Gogh Museum).
