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Van Gogh in Nuenen
Set against the backdrop of *The Potato Eaters*
In Nuenen, Vincent chose to take the hard, everyday lives of farmers and weavers as the starting point for his paintings.
His time in Nuenen was one of the most important and productive periods of his life. Between December 1883 and November 1885, he produced a quarter of his entire body of work.
No fewer than 24 buildings and landscapes serve as reminders of his time in Nuenen; 14 of these were painted or drawn by him. Some of the landscapes in the immediate vicinity still exude the atmosphere of his time.
Van Gogh Village Museum
At the Van Gogh Village Museum, get to know Vincent van Gogh as a person and follow the journey to his first masterpiece, ‘The Potato Eaters’, in the interactive Van Gogh Village Museum, suitable for all ages. You’ll discover for yourself just how important Vincent’s Brabant period was for the rest of his work.
More about the museum
Walking and cycling
After a visit to the museum, it’s time to go for a walk and explore the various locations that Vincent painted. Discover the places where he stood, and see what he saw – and painted – 140 years ago. It’s as if you’re walking through one of his paintings.
Or hop on a bike! The Nuenen Route and the Eindhoven Route of the Van Gogh Cycle Route both pass through Nuenen.
No fewer than 24 locations in Nuenen are associated with Van Gogh; 14 of these were painted or sketched by him. The remaining sites are statues or buildings of special significance.
Discover the routes
Salon Nune Ville
Follow in the literal footsteps of Vincent van Gogh and Margot Begemann at Salon Nune Ville: the family home of Margot, the woman with whom Van Gogh had a dramatic love affair. In this distinctive old villa, you’ll truly feel as though you’ve stepped back into the 19th century. Combined with the enthusiasm of the resident and art historian Jacqueline, you’ll experience the most personal Van Gogh stories here.
Further information
The Potato Eaters
With a large painting featuring several figures, Van Gogh hopes to prove himself to the outside world. For months, he practises painting portraits, hands and interiors. Even the clock and cutlery: dozens of studies preceded *The Potato Eaters*. He was personally satisfied with the result. Vincent regarded *The Potato Eaters* as his first fully-fledged work. However, his brother Theo and his artist friend Anthon van Rappard were highly critical of the work.
The little cottage where the de Groot family lived is still there. It stands near De Roosdonck windmill. You’ll pass it if you’re using the ‘Op Pad met Vincent’ guidebook, or if you’re following the Nuenen edition of the Van Gogh National Park walk.
Van Gogh–Roosegaarde Cycle Path
In Eindhoven, just outside Nuenen, there is a unique cycle path. At dusk, visitors will be surprised by a display of light and colour, inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s world-famous work *The Starry Night*.
The cycle path forms part of the Van Gogh Cycle Routes, which link Vincent van Gogh’s heritage sites in Brabant. Vincent painted his first masterpiece, *The Potato Eaters*, in Nuenen and also depicted the Opwetten Watermill and the Collse Watermill in his paintings. This innovative cycle path runs between these two unique mills.
More about the cycle path
Van Gogh Monuments Nuenen
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Theo de Vries Workshop
NuenenVincent regularly visited this site belonging to the builder and carpenter in Nuenen. For example, to have a perspective window made.
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Old tower and churchyard
5673 LE NuenenThis is the old tower that Vincent saw, with its rural cemetery. He produced no fewer than 35 drawings and paintings of it. At the remains of this old...
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Populierenlaan Broekdijk
StatutesVincent used the farmhouse De Schoteldonkse Hoeve and the avenue leading up to it as the subject of his painting ‘Poplar Avenue in Autumn’.
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The House of The Potato Eaters
5674 SG NuenenIn Vincent’s day, the De Groot family’s farmhouse stood on this site. In April and May 1885, he painted this family in *The Potato Eaters*.
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Studio and home with the Schafrat family
5671 GC NuenenVincent rents two rooms with an en suite bathroom on the ground floor. He lives here (after some time) and works in the back room.
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Nuenen Tourist Information Office
5671 CA NuenenThe Nuenen, Gerwen and Nederwetten Tourist Information Centre is housed in the Van Gogh Village Museum. Route maps are also available here for cycling or walking in...
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De Vogelenzang Windmill
5735 EP LieshoutDe Vogelenzang windmill in Lieshout, built in 1819, was immortalised by Vincent in two drawings.
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Collse watermill
5641 JN EindhovenIn May 1884, Vincent was working on a number of paintings of windmills. Among these was his painting of the Collse watermill.
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Van Gogh Church
5671 CR NuenenVincent van Gogh’s father was the minister at this little church in Nuenen.
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Genneper Watermill
Genneperweg 143
5644 RS EindhovenVincent van Gogh captured this watermill in Eindhoven on canvas on several occasions. He was fascinated by the wheels and the building.
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Weaver’s Cottage
5671 CC NuenenJust one of the many weavers’ cottages that Nuenen was home to in Van Gogh’s time. Later, the sexton lived in this cottage.
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St Clement’s Church
5674 RR GerwenVincent van Gogh sketched St Clement’s Church in Gerwen in December 1883.
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Louis Begemann’s textile factory and home
NuenenLouis Begemann’s linen factory is located in Nuenen. Louis is the older brother of Vincent’s lover and neighbour, Margot Begemann.
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Vicarage and garden
5671 CC NuenenThe Van Gogh family lived here in Nuenen from 1882 until the end of 1885. This was also home to Vincent: he lived here from December 1883 until the end of 1885.
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Nune Ville
5671 CC NuenenThe Begemann family lives in the house known as Nune Ville in Nuenen. A friendship develops between Vincent and his daughter Margot, but it takes a dramatic turn.
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St Clement’s Church
5671 GC NuenenVan Gogh depicted this church, built in 1872, in one of his paintings and in a drawing.
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Van Gogh Village Museum, Town Hall
5671 CA NuenenThe building at Berg 29 was built in 1874 and served as the town hall until 1953. Today, this building houses the Van Gogh Village Museum, with...
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Monument to Vincent van Gogh
5671 CA NuenenTo mark the fortieth anniversary of Vincent van Gogh’s death, this monument is being created by Hildo Krop.
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The Opwetten Watermill
5674 AC NuenenThis watermill is situated on the Kleine Dommel in Nuenen. Vincent van Gogh painted this mill.
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Antoon Hermans’ House
5611 GC EindhovenVincent gave painting lessons at the home of the amateur painter Antoon Hermans.
