Nine new Van Gogh Monuments

15 februari 2023

A team of experts researched the places in Brabant where Vincent van Gogh grew up and developed into a painter. As a result of the research, nine new locations have been qualified as Van Gogh Monuments, bringing the total number of Van Gogh Monuments in Brabant to 46. All the new insights and backgrounds into the Van Gogh Monuments and their significance for the life and work of Vincent van Gogh will be published in the Atlas Van Gogh in Brabant. This will be presented to the painter's descendants on March 30 and will be available in Dutch bookstores from that date.

In recent months, Helewise Berger (curator Het Noordbrabants Museum) and Ron Dirven (curator Van Gogh Brabant ) have been researching places significant to the life of Vincent van Gogh in Brabant. This was commissioned by Van Gogh Brabant and Het Noordbrabants Museum who, through the research and publication of the results, want to contribute to the preservation of the monuments and the propagation of the heritage of the world-famous painter.

Besides Berger and Dirven, Teio Meedendorp and Louis van Tilborgh (Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam) also contributed to the study, which was a follow-up to an initial reconnaissance in 2017. Back then, 39 sites were designated as Van Gogh Monument. Two of these have now been dropped from the list as new information revealed that the buildings were no longer in authentic condition. These are the sexton's house in Etten-Leur and the town hall in Zundert.

The current list of 46 monuments gives more importance to places related to the painter's family and friends. They played a role in the life choices that ultimately led Van Gogh to follow his passion and become a painter.

Friends and family ties in Helvoirt

Helewise Berger: 'we were particularly surprised in Helvoirt by the fascinating genesis of the house of Vincent's aunts on Oude Rijksweg and the friendly connection with the Protestant noble family De Jonge van Zwijnsbergen, owners of Zwijnsbergen Castle where the family Van Gogh regularly spent time. In addition, Huize Mariënhof and Jagtlust are added in Helvoirt.'

Estates in Zundert

Ron Dirven: "For Van Gogh, the Brabant landscape also formed a lasting source of inspiration. In the surroundings of Zundert, where the painter was born and grew up, we have therefore also examined estates more closely for their significance for his life and work. Thus, estates De Moeren, Buisse Heide and Wallsteijn have been added because of the walks Vincent made as a child in these surroundings and the connection of the owners with the reformed congregation in Zundert.'

Monuments in Nuenen and Etten-Leur

In Etten-Leur, the Trouwkerkje has been designated a monument because of Vincent's relationship with Pastor Kam's family. In Nuenen, the carpentry workshop of Theo de Vries on the Berg and the textile factory and home of Louis Begemann have been added to the already impressive list of Van Gogherfgoed.

Atlas Van Gogh in Brabant

On March 30, the birthday of Vincent van Gogh, the first copy of the Atlas van Gogh in Brabant will be presented to the van Gogh family and the director of the Van Gogh Museum. This festive event will take place on Vincent's birthplace in Zundert. The Atlas combines old maps, historical images, works by Van Gogh and new photography by Karin Borghouts with facts about the monuments and backgrounds to the life of Vincent van Gogh in the Brabant of the 19th century.

Learn more about the Atlas van Gogh at Brabant