On June 2, 1973, the Dutch Government inaugurated the Van Gogh Museum, the well-known Pinacoteca, located in Amsterdam, in which Vincent Van Gogh’s legacy is deployed.
That is, a collection of 700 paintings that, before exhibiting in a public space, rested in Willem’s house, the great-art nephew of the artist, who besides being the adviser of his museum, is dedicated to touring the world talking about his
“uncle”.
Moreover, on September 29, Willem landed in Madrid to attend the opening of Meet Vince Van Gogh, the “new immersive experience”, which is presented in the space Ibercaja.
“I really like Madrid, there’s a lot of art to see and people are very friendly. The food is also delicious. You have incredible wines. Like the Rioja or the Ribera del Duero. But what I like most is that until 9
January you are going to be able to enjoy Meet Van Gogh. An incredible experience, with which you are going to be able to immerse them in the world of Vincent, step on their traces, feel the emotion of their art and know different passages of their life, “said Willem in a
Interview with LOC, in which it also reveals several secrets of its conflict relative.
“I would like people to know that Vincent was an artist who was never given up, he always explored new things, for example, in one of these rooms, about 800 paintings are exhibited and the truth is that they all look different. Because the
Vincent’s mission was to explore the art and I think that is very interesting. Vincent could paint the portrait of a peasant, the waves of the sea, sunflowers, nature, two friends, a postman, a coffee, his house or his room.
.. And that’s why I think his painting is still so valid. Because as everyone takes coffee or has a bedroom it is easy to feel a connection with it, “he says.
Likewise, Willem thinks that many people may feel identified with the artistic processes of Van Gogh.
In fact, he would have liked to analyze the “uncle” of him and know, in depth, the work of him.
“If Vincent were alive, I think I’d love to go out with him and watch him while he works, see how he looks like. That’s what the most relevant seems to me, is that it is impressive the amount of paintings he made. In 10 years he made 1,000 paintings-
which only 860 are only known – and some were made in just one day. And that causes me a lot of curiosity, “says Willem, who grew up surrounded by his creations.
And is that Willem’s grandfather was Theo’s son, Vincent’s beloved brother, whom he sent half of his paintings.
That is the reason why a large part of him was in the house of the relatives of him.
“I know much of Vincent’s paintings. But my favorite is almond tree. I think it’s one of the most beautiful paintings that have been done in history. In addition, the almond is one of my favorites, because Vincent dedicated him that
Table to his nephew, my grandfather, who in his adulthood decided to share the collection with the world and open the Van Gogh Museum. I think that is very emotional, “he explains.
But paintings is not the only thing that Willem inherited … but also the about 600 letters that Vincent sent to Theo, telling him about his life, his sorrows and his artistic work.
“I have read almost all those cards, but I have taken 20 years to do it, my favorite letter is one in which Vincent writes to Theo ‘we have some responsibility with the next generation.’ It says something like ‘the stars in heaven
They will illuminate to the next generations of artists’. That is one of my favorite citations, “Willem mentions.
However, the Dutchman must recognize that the words of the ancestors of him have not inspired him enough to become a painter.
“I do not paint a little. Once I tried it, but I was not very happy with the results, I took painting classes, but I think it’s not my thing. I like art, but it worked better as an advisor than as an artist”,
He affirms about his current mission at the Van Gogh Museum.
“I really like working in the museum, it is very comforting and at the same time challenging. Now we face the challenge of receiving the public again after the VOCID, in addition to guaranteeing access to the collection for future generations. I think what we do
It is very inspiring. Especially now, that we are close to our 50th anniversary, “he ends.
