As one of five Van Gogh heritage sites in Brabant, Vincents Tekenlokaal offers a unique look into the space where perhaps the most famous Brabander Vincent van Gogh received his first serious drawing lessons. In the former city palace of King Willem II, the drawing room of Van Gogh's teacher Constant Cornelis Huijsmans has been completely reconstructed so you can experience how a 13-year-old Vincent developed his artistic talent. Discover your talent too in the modern digital drawing room, where you can get to work yourself as well as workshops and master classes for all ages.
Ideally located in downtown Tilburg
Go back to September 1866 and follow the path young Vincent took daily from his boarding house on St. Annaplein to the Rijks-HBS. Within walking distance of the central train station and two parking garages, the museum is right in the center of Tilburg. So combining it with a day of shopping is ideal, or also visit one of the other Tilburg museums nearby, such as De Pont, the Nature Museum or the TextielMuseum. The new creative heart, Tilburg's Spoorzone, is also a stone's throw from Vincent's old school.
Heritage Sites
Together, the five heritage sites in Brabant tell the story of Van Gogh's childhood, up to the time he moved to Paris. At the Rijks-HBS he made his first drawing of two farmers, leaning on a shovel. His childhood in Brabant fostered a great love of nature and peasant life: themes that recur in much of Van Gogh's work.
"Fun outing for the kids"
Vincents Tekenlokaal offers a very informative look into Vincent's young life as an early artist. Our staff also provides tours and explanations in English. That our young guests appreciate this is evidenced by the following comment, "The staff member took the initiative to explain everything to us and the children hung on her every word."
Come discover for yourself where Vincent took his first creative steps...!
