I’ve always loved his paintings.

I remember that long before enjoying museums, I knew his painting of the sunflowers, from a calendar in my mom’s kitchen.

Now, that  I set out to find out who is the man behind the painting, and I like it even more …

Last March, the Dutch tourism in partnership with Expedia, launched a campaign entitled “Following the Van Gogh footprints” #Vangogh2015.

Van Gogh died 125 years ago but his work remains as present and current.

Museums, landscapes, paintings and thoughts that accompanied his journey through life, reveal him as an outstanding person .

Vincent Van Gogh lived 37 years (my age), having been born in a family overshadowed by the death of the first child at birth, who had been assigned his name, Vincent.

Later, his brother Theo was born.  He became  his best friend and life companion.

Vicent began painting at  the age of 27. He committed suicide at 37.

For 10 years he painted about 900 pictures and wrote more than 800 letters, leaving an estate of creativity and talent which was recognized only after death.

During his life, he just sold a painting: “The potato- eaters”, most, of the other works, were exchanged for food and accommodation.

Crazy or genius? A mixture of the both for sure  combined a sensitivity from another world that made him an unforgettable personality.

Where has he lived ?

Amsterdam, Neunen, Paris and Auvers-sur-Oise, among other cities such as Borinage in Belgium, where he worked as a priest and from where he was expelled for “overzealous”.

That was how he began to devote himself to offer happiness: through art.

He suffered from epilepsy and depression, which led him ultimately to suicide.

These are some of his footsteps that we set out to follow on this journey:

AMSTERDAM

“You should in any case, go to  the museum often”, to his brother Theo

. Van Gogh Museum: Paulus Potterstraat 71071CX Amsterdam

Price:

Adults 17 euros

Children up to 18 years free

NUENEN

It is known as the city of Van Goh and it takes about 20 minutes by bus to reach ( from Eidhoven ) and 1h45m by train (from Amsterdam).

.Vicentre – Van Gogh Village Nuenen Van Gogh Village Nuenen Foundation:
PO Box 1935670 AD Nuenen The Netherlands

Adults: € 7.00 Children 6-17 years: € 4.00 Children up to 5 years: free

We can take a walk or bike  through  main points of interest, with references to the artist’s paintings, including the house where he lived or the church where his father was a pastor.

Van Gogh Village Nuenen Prices:
Adults: € 7.00 Children 6-17 years: € 4.00 Children up to 5years: Free

There is also a bike path in tribute to the artist and which lights up at night. Price: Free

Loved Nuenen, its sunset, its houses and its virgin fields.

A friendly city where you breathe art.

We ended the day in a restaurant which is located in a former mill depicted in a Van Gogh painting: Opwetten Watermill
The view from the Watermill Opwetten at sunset.

PARIS

-Musee D’Orsay. I have spoken before about  this museum, it’s probably one of my favorites and has many Van Gogh paintings.

Paris “There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, even the French air clears up the brain and does good – the world of good” Vincent Van Gogh
“I dream my painting and then I paint my dream” Van Gogh.

“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day” Van Gogh

AUVERS-SUR-OISE

Auvers-sur-Oise is an hour drive from Paris and is a real charm.

we seem to turn back in time and discover a place that inspires peace and beauty.

It was in this city that  Van Gogh ended his days. 

I felt nostalgic  when walking those streets, in the fields where he took refuge to paint, in the almond flowers contrasting with the blue sky,  in the house of his psychiatrist and in the room that he rented and where he died.

The pension where Van Gogh lived.
Auvers-Sur-Oise Oise

He and his brother (who died six months later) are lying side by side in the cemetery of Auvers, surrounded by the same wheat fields where Vincent painted his last piece of art:

“They are vast stretches of wheat under troubled skies, and I did not have to go out of my way very much in order to try to express sadness and extreme loneliness …. I’m fairly sure que these canvases will tell you what I can not say in words, that is, how healthy and invigorating I find the countryside. “Van Gogh” 

 “What would life be if we had the courage to attempt anything …” – Vincent Van Gogh

For more information look for #vangogh2015