Experience the aftermath of the largest blooming sunflower painting in the world!
These are the final days of the world's largest living Van Gogh sunflower painting: "Vase with 15 Sunflowers. The masterpiece blossomed in spectacular fashion at the initiative of Van Gogh National Park and Van Gogh Brabant in Etten-Leur. Unfolding over an impressive 7,500 square meters, this iconic painting transformed into on an idyllically situated meadow at De Menmoerhoeve. This was made possible in part by Natuurhuisje and Takii Europe.
Location
Farm and Recreation Company De Menmoerhoeve, Zundertseweg 66 Etten-Leur
Period for viewing
The sunflower field has become the domain for the birds, who feast on the sunflower seeds. But you can still visit it. The watchtower near the field has since disappeared, but walking through the painting is still possible.
Route
Use Google Maps to plan your route to De Menmoerhoeve
Plan
View the map of the location with the painting here
Download the site plan with the painting here
Info
www.jaarvandezonnebloem.nl
Tips
* Combine your sunflower experience with a visit to the center of Etten-Leur (5 km away) including the Farmers' Room in the museum of the Paulushofje on the Markt. The Van Gogh Kerk is closed until spring 2025 due to redevelopment for a multimedia Van Gogh experience. Info Tourist Information Point.
* From De Menmoerhoeve, take the Van Gogh National Park Walk Etten-Leur. The beautiful 14 km route is available at the Tourist Information Point at Markt 4. Or consult the route online on VisitBrabant.
* Take a trip to Van Gogh's birthplace of Zundert and visit the Vincent van GoghHuis.
Developments on the field and in the media (archive)
Early in the spring, the project went from drawing board to execution and the pasture was tilled. A process of milling, cultivating, plowing and leveling. Watch the first video of our volunteer Leo Dekkers here. And watch the news item at Omroep Brabant here.
Unfortunately the wet weather that followed was extremely disappointing: all planted sunflower seeds were washed away(News at Omroep Brabant). This item also made it to the NOS Journaal and the NOS Jeugdjournaal. Because of all the setbacks, farming and sowing were forced to stop. But the organization remained in good spirits and persevered. Just like Vincent. At the end of June it was make or break and a new (last) attempt was made (video by Omroep Brabant). WNL Goedemorgen Nederland also came along at that time.
In late June and early July the sowing was done successfully.
Meanwhile, the contours of the field painting are already clearly visible and the first flowers are blooming! Read here the article in BNDeStem (pdf) of August 2. Or. Watch here the reportage made by Omroep Brabant on August 13, 2024.
And then there was also RTL4 Editie NL on August 15. Watch the item back here (starts at about minute 7).
On August 20, NPO Radio 5 paid attention to it. Listen back.
On August 20 NPO Radio 5 paid attention to it. Listen back.
On August 21 attention in China by Emily Cheung, watch here (scroll down the page for the video).
On September 1 an article in Omroep Max Magazine. Read more.
On September 5, ZuidWest TV paid extensive attention . Read more and watch the video.
In the September issue of the regional magazine Living, Working & Recreation. View the article / Download the pdf.
On September 22 Omroep Brabant made another nice reportage. Read more and watch the video.
Flowers
The painting consisted of three types of Sunflowers, Calendula/Goudflower, Escholzia/Sleeping Beauty, Dahlias, Poppy and Nigella (damsel in green). Around the painting is a "frame" made of sunflowers with an undermix of Lucerne clover. This was also a feast for the bees, birds, butterflies and other insects. The table that holds the vase with 15 sunflowers is made with straw.
Made possible by:
Van Gogh National Park (initiator)
Nature cottage (main sponsor)
Takii Europe (supplier of the seeds)
ZLTO (network, knowledge and expertise)
Sponsors:
Municipality of Etten-Leur (various promotional displays)
LandStad De Baronie (provides sensors for visitor registration in cooperation with Marco Sprenkels)
House of Motion Media (Video & drone)
Brabants Landschap (hours, knowledge and expertise)
Martens Oudenbosch (wood chips for the walking paths in and around the artwork)
Telermaat Zundert (acrylic cloth to protect seeds from so-called bird pecking)
Loonbedrijf Monden (straw for the artwork)
Corso Zundert (supplier of dahlias, plant the tubers and maintain them)
Jumbo Supermarkets in Etten-Leur (refreshments for the 'construction crew')
Learn more
www.vangoghnationaalpark.nl
www.jaarvandezonnebloem.nl
www.menmoerhoeve.nl
Contact
More information
Pierre van Damme, project coordinator Van Gogh sunflower field painting (pierre@vangoghbrabant.com)
+31 6 22 11 55 01
Frank van den Eijnden, operations director Van Gogh National Park (frank@vangoghnationaalpark.nl) .
+31 6 53 05 36
