During his stay in Nuenen, Vincent regularly went out. During the long walks, he saw several wind and water mills: he painted and drew them, and also visited them with his painter friends from Eindhoven, or with friends who were visiting him for several days.
These mills are still there today and are now officially Van Gogh Monument.
The windmills are used to grind grain.
The water mills belong to the Dutch part of the river Dommel. The power of the water together with the water wheel, has been used for centuries for grinding grain or pressing oil. Sometimes they are a thousand years old.
Within walking distance of our museum in Nuenen, is mill de Roosdonck. This mill was built just before Vincent arrived in Nuenen. Vincent often sketched and drew the mill, often as a kind of beacon on the horizon.
This mill is still in operation and the store selling its own ground flour is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This water mill can be found between Nuenen and Eindhoven. Vincent van Gogh lived in Nuenen and regularly passed this fine specimen with the largest water wheel in the Netherlands, which made the water mill a favorite drawing and painting object of this painter.
The mill is still in operation. The water mill of Opwetten also has a restaurant, with large terraces. Ideal for a break when biking or hiking here.
Near this water mill is the Van Gogh Roosegaarde bike path. It is worth taking a look here just after sunset!
Vincent van Gogh visited here with his painter friend Anton van Rappard.
This water mill and weir were built on a branch of De Dommel. The foundation of this water mill is more than a thousand years old, and was used as a corn, oil and lumber mill. The mill is grinding capable, but not open for viewing. However, the surroundings and the mill itself are beautifully authentic, just like in Vincent van Gogh's time. It is highly recommended!
When Vincent walked from Nuenen to the train station he passed this water mill. In Vincent's time, the mill was located near the Eeneind train station on Geldropscheweg.
The Collse watermill has two red roofs and two wheels, and was used as an oil and corn mill. He wrote: "It is the same as the other two watermills we visited together, but with two red roofs and a view from the front, surrounded by poplars. Will be superb in autumn."
He did indeed paint this. This painting is on display at the North Brabant Museum.
This mill is still in operation.
Van Gogh recorded the mill several times, such as in November 1884. It was quite cold then: "These days I am still working outside, in spite of the freezing weather, on a rather large study (more than 1 meter) of an old watermill in Gennep, on the other side of Eindhoven. I want to finish it completely outside - but it will probably be the last time I will paint outside this year."
During his stay in Nuenen, Vincent frequently went out in the surrounding area. On his long walks in the area, Vincent also saw mill De Vogelenzang in Lieshout. He drew this mill twice with sheaves of corn in the foreground.
This mill is still in operation and open when the mill is running.
