Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

I'm a big fan of van Gogh's art, especially his later psychedelic works. So visiting the van Gogh Museum was a must. I was not disappointed! The museum is fairly big, yet not too large, so if you don't have time for the Rijksmuseum (National Museum) and enjoy psychedelic paintings, this is the place to go. It's also the place to go if you want to visit the van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum because they're both conveniently located at Museumplein (Museum Square), which, in addition to be surrounded by museums, is a nice and relaxing park for people watching or eating a picnic lunch. Be sure to have your photo taken at the "I AMSTERDAM" sign or take photos of others climbing around on it. That's is almost as fun as visiting the van Gogh Museum.

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Hubby went in here and we waited outside. The lines weren't too bad however I would pre-purchase tickets for faster entry.

Hubby enjoyed it and purchased a nice canvas print of the famous flower pic. We just need to find a wall now to put it on.

2nd picture is of Birgit and myself waiting for Howie to come out.

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No doubt this museum has the largest Van Gogh collection (200 paintings) but… - here I might sound somewhat iconoclast - the dark paintings of his early period in Den Haag or Drenthe are not necessarily his highlights. Not everybody has to be fond of his potato subjects.

It is clearly written in the welcome leaflet of the museum: "His evolution from an inept but impassioned novice into a truly original master…" and "as a painter, he was largely self-taught."
This is evident from this chronological exhibition. Van Gogh experimented a lot and his experiments were not necessarily successful.

His art improved when Vincent reached Paris and assimilated the style of the Impressionist trend.
It appears that the talent of Van Gogh developed in the same proportion as the intensity of the sunlight. The summit is reached under the sun of the Provence.

The highlights of this Van Gogh collection are therefore to be found in the works of Arles (1888-89), Saint-Rémy de Provence (1889-90) and Auvers-sur-Oise where he committed suicide in July 1890.
Among the best works here on display are the "Yellow House", "The Bedroom", the 3 orchard paintings and my favoured ones "The Irises" and the quiet and peaceful landscape "The Harvest".
Impressive and disturbing is that extraordinary "Wheatfield with Crows" painted shortly before his dead.

On the third floor are a good number of French impressionists among which Monet and Pissarro.

There are often queues and crowds at this museum which is on the list of group visits. There are separate fast lanes for e-tickets and museum cards.
As this was my second visit I arrived around 17 h. when there was no queue anymore and I rushed through the early period of van Gogh to concentrate on the best paintings from the Provence period.

Museum open: daily 10.00 to 18.00, Friday 10.00 to 22.00 h.
Admission fees (2011):
Adults: € 14
0-17 years: free
Tickets can be ordered online.
It is not permitted to take photographs or make video recordings or films.

Opening times 2011

Museum: daily 10.00 to 18.00, Friday 10.00 to 22.00
Ticket office: daily 10.00 to 17.30, Friday to 21.30
Library Museumplein 4: Monday to Friday 10.00 to12.30 and 13.30 to 17.00
Closed 1 January

Admission fees

Adults: € 14
0-17 years: free admission (can be asked for ID)
Museum card holders: free admission* Museumkaart
Members of ICOM: free admission*
I Amsterdam card holders: free admission
There is no special rate for groups or students.
You can also buy your ticket online

not aloud to film or make photo's inside
also no big bags , water, umbrellas aloud inside

There is only one Van Gogh and you must visit the Van Gogh museum. One of my favourite in the world. I have been here many years ago but I think I need to come again as there is some many changes since the last time I was here.
Check also the 2nd link here for Google museum for virtual tour of the museum, fantastic.

This muesuem is very modern and I thought it was disappointing after visiting the Riksjmuesuem. There are plenty of Van Gogh's paintings here. My understanding was his major works were here and they are not they are in Oterloo, Paris, London, Munich, Chicago, and New York City. Which left me very disappointed. Very crowded either come very early or just before closing, the admit people 30 minutes before closing and the place is almost empty..

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The Van Gogh Museum oponed in 1973. The building, designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, houses the world´s largest selection of Van Gogh Works. The collection comprises over 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 letters by the master, as well as his collection of Japanese prints. The artist produced som 900 paintings and 1200 drawings. The museum also contains works by his contemporaries, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gaugin, Monet, Bernard and Monticelli. In 1999, the museum was completely renovated with addition of a new exhibition wing, designed by the japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa.

El Museo Van Gogh abrió sus puertas en 1973. El edificio, diseñado por el arquitecto holandés Gerrit Rietveld, casas selección más grande del mundo de Van Gogh Obras. La colección está compuesta por más de 200 pinturas, 500 dibujos y 700 cartas por el maestro, así como su colección de estampas japonesas. El artista produce som 900 pinturas y dibujos de 1200. El museo también contiene obras de sus contemporáneos, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Monet, Bernard y Monticelli. En 1999, el museo fue renovado por completo con la adición de un ala nueva exposición, diseñado por el arquitecto japonés Kisho Kurokawa.

This is my fave museum in Amsterdam. The Van Gogh (pronounced Van Hock) Museum has lots of his paintings, and usually also has a separate exhibit with maybe someone that had an influence on his painting. There is a great thing in the lobby, where you can make a little video and email it to someone-----I had met a lovely Russian young lady while waiting in line, and we both made videos to send home! They have a good gift shop with loads of books and other present-like things.
updated 9/2010----had a great time again---no line for some reason at 10:30 on a monday in september----no more video home machine-----still a good shop---and the art is always inspiring----I love this museum...