Van Gogh Academy Launches Online, Inviting a Fresh Perspective on Van Gogh Studies

We are thrilled to announce the online launch of the Van Gogh Academy, a new player in the field of Vincent van Gogh research and education, founded by Wouter van der Veen – a Van Gogh scholar with 25 years of experience. Our ambition is to complement the work of esteemed institutions such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Musée d’Orsay, the Wildenstein-Plattner Institute, the Institut Van Gogh, and other universities and libraries.

Our focus is clear: the discovery, acquisition, and in-depth analysis of documents and artworks connected to Van Gogh’s life and œuvre. We have already assembled an extensive library of our own and look forward to sharing our findings with a global audience.

However, the Van Gogh Academy is about more than just research. We believe that true understanding of Van Gogh’s legacy requires a fully immersive experience – one where you feel the blazing sun Van Gogh so often painted, hear the deafening chorus of cicadas in Provence, and smell the ripening wheat fields of Auvers-sur-Oise. By stepping into the artist’s physical surroundings, tasting the olives and absinthe he knew, and witnessing the dramatic thunderstorms that inspired his skies, visitors can achieve a deeper, more personal connection to his work.

We’re proud to have the support of three key partners that made our launch possible: Groupe Quinze, Maraë Systems, and Fonseca Fine Arts (Galerie de la Vallée de l’Oise). We also owe a great debt to K. S., who believed in our vision, gave us the confidence we needed to establish this new institution, and supported us substantially on a financial level.

Based in Auvers-sur-Oise, we are a French nonprofit with an international outlook. Our mission is to follow in Van Gogh’s footsteps – from the Netherlands to the south of France and beyond – and bring others along on this journey. We will operate in any place that played a role in shaping his art.

For anyone eager to learn more, we welcome you to join us on Saturday, May 17th, at 1 rue François Mitterrand, 95430 Auvers-sur-Oise. We will be open from 10:00 to 18:00. Come meet our team, explore our approach, and discover what makes the Van Gogh Academy a refreshing addition to the worldwide Van Gogh community.