Day 28--Amsterdam (Van Gogh museum)

 Visiting the Van Gogh museum was a bit of a last minute decision. Uncle Andy was hit hard by jet lag, so he needed to stay home and rest for the day. It was the Provost 4 musketeers once again as we journeyed to the gorgeous museum district. I was so pleased with our decision, because this museum and audio tour were the girls’ favorite art experience of the trip. Plus, they had a reasonably priced gift shop! We went a little overboard.




Such a pretty walk (this was under the city’s main art museum, which we decided the girls wouldn’t enjoy).



Donnie went outside and offered Andy’s ticket and audio tour to anyone who needed one. This teacher from India wasn’t able to book a time to enter the museum with the rest of her friends. She was so thankful and sweet!



They had a whole room full of Van Gogh’s self-portraits.




Sunflower painting in the flesh. The audio tour said Van Gogh loved painting nature as it really is. He relished how these sunflowers were spent and heavy. 


This is the first person who recognized and displayed Van Gogh’s talent. They had a love affair that ended badly. Sadly, Van Gogh struggled with relationships throughout his life.



                                        Love this series! 

I’m sure other people are much more aware of how Van Gogh utilized art as a way of coping with mental health challenges. Many of his most famous works were completed during his year long voluntary stay at an institution. This museum’s audio tour did such a beautiful job of humanizing him! 


           Just stunning. Is there a prettier flower than the iris? 






This one brought me to tears. Van Gogh’s brother Theo was his one, true friend and advocate throughout his difficult life.
His brother named his first son Vincent. Van Gogh painted these almond blossoms to celebrate the baby’s birth. They represent hope and new life.  



The last known painting Van Gogh completed—these are an almost exact replica of the tree roots near his home.


This is Van Gogh’s sister in law, who was responsible for preserving the voluminous letters written between her husband Theo and Vincent. Theo died very shortly after Van Gogh’s suicide:
When Van Gogh died, his art was just beginning to be recognized. She was waited until his artistry was fully appreciated before she allowed for the publication the phenomenally sweet letters between the brothers. The museum has some of the letters on display, and they definitely made me cry. Again.









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