Samenvatting
Although Vincent lived in The Hague for six years, years of enormous importance to the development of his work, there has not been much to illustrate his connection with this city until now. A single plaque fastened to a wall on the large square called “Plaats” where Vincent worked for the art dealer Goupil and also a commemorative plaque on the Hendrick Hamelstraat, where he had his studio on the Schenk- weg, were the only testimonies to his presence here. Mrs. Wimmie Hofstra has completely made up for this lack of attention with her book. She takes the curious observer to all of the places in The Hague associated with Vincent in three distinct chapters, highlighting the significance of each place. The beautiful illustrations of Vincent’s work give the book an extra dimension. This book is not only a masterly addition to any study of Van Gogh, but provides new insights into the history and culture of The Hague as well. In short, highly recommended. J. van Gogh Grandson of Vincent’s brother Theo
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) was one of the most extraordinary and brilliant artists of the nineteenth century. The year 2019 will mark the 150th anniversary of his having taken up residence in The Hague. He lived and worked longer in The Hague (1869-1873 and 1881-1883) than anywhere else during his adult life. The details of his time in The Hague are fas- cinating and yet virtually unknown. Van Gogh owed much to The Hague and its artists for both his artistic and cultural development. His nineteenth century world was at the crossroads of old and new and no artist depicts the poignant class differences, the in- dustrialisation and the expansion of the city as vividly as Van Gogh. He was not only inspired by the city, but also by Scheveningen and by the rural surroundings of Rijswijk, Voorburg, and Leidschendam. This book is the result of extensive research done by art historian F.W. Hofstra, MA in recent years. New locations and new insights have been incorporated in the book, as well as an in-depth discussion of Van Gogh at the beginning of his artistic career and a look at the workshop practices of the nineteenth century. Vincent Van Gogh’s story is told in conjunction with the various locations where he lived and worked, connecting these locations with letters and works of art. The reader can view the catalogue numbers on their own or by traveling from location to location on foot, by boat or by bicycle.
Thuiswinkel Waarborg