Beschrijving

This book celebrates the six years Vincent van Gogh lived and worked in The Hague. Follow in his footsteps and explore the city and its surroundings, just as he did nearly 150 years ago. Discover The Hague, Scheveningen, Rijswijk, Leidschendam, and Voorburg through Van Gogh’s eyes.

Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) was one of the most extraordinary artists of the 19th century. In 2019, we marked the 150th anniversary of his residence in The Hague, where he lived and worked longer than anywhere else during his adult life (1869–1873 and 1881–1883). Many details of his time in the city are fascinating yet little known. Van Gogh drew inspiration from The Hague and its artists, shaping both his artistic and cultural development.

His 19th-century world was a crossroads of old and new, and few artists captured the contrasts of class, industrialization, and urban expansion as vividly as Van Gogh. He was inspired not only by the city itself but also by Scheveningen and the rural areas of Rijswijk, Voorburg, and Leidschendam.

Based on extensive research by art historian F.W. Hofstra, MA, this book introduces new locations and insights, explores Van Gogh’s early career, and examines 19th-century workshop practices. Van Gogh’s story is linked to the places where he lived and worked, complemented by letters and works of art. Readers can explore the catalogue either independently or by traveling from location to location on foot, by boat, or by bicycle.