Anyone who is curious about Vincent van Gogh's life and work cannot ignore North Brabant.
Many places in this province remind you of him. They tell you about his roots, his childhood, his youth, his dreams, passions, loves and experiences.
How did these stages of life shape him and lead him to some of the crucial choices of his life?
The story of the birth of the painter and the man Vincent van Gogh: Becoming Vincent
Vincent van Gogh was born in 1853 in Brabant, in the southern part of the Netherlands. It was here that he developed his love of nature and authentic man, themes that recur throughout his oeuvre. The heritage sites in Brabant, 46 Van Gogh Monuments and the collection of original works in Het Noordbrabants Museum recount his extraordinary life journey. Visitors get to know Vincent up close: from his childhood in Zundert, to the start of his career in Etten, from drawing lessons in Tilburg to his first masterpiece in Nuenen.
Vincent's cradle was in Zundert. Here the young Vincent was shaped by his Protestant family and Brabant culture. Here was born the love of nature that would continue to inspire him throughout his life.
Vincent experienced a turbulent time in Etten-Leur that marked the start of his career as a painter. He embraced life and art wholeheartedly and took his first steps as a professional artist.
Vincent experienced an extraordinarily productive period in Nuenen. The ordinary people of Brabant and the peasant landscape inspired him. Here Van Gogh worked with inspiration on studies that would result in his first masterpiece, The Potato Eaters.
