Expertise
The Highest Academic Standard
Vincent van Gogh is probably the best documented artist of all time. His 875 paintings and 1000 drawings are richly supplemented by his 900-letter correspondence and countless studies devoted to his life and art by the most prestigious institutions and brilliant individuals.
In fact, there is so much documentation available that Van Gogh Studies has become a discipline of its own. It takes many years for any student and/or art lover to gain a solid grounding in this vast subject.
Van Gogh & Van Gogh was founded by Wouter van der Veen (b. 1974), whose expertise and in-depth scholarship are internationally recognized. Van der Veen started his career at the Van Gogh Museum at the age 24 as a core member of the research team that published the six-volume scholarly edition of Van Gogh’s correspondence. He obtained a PhD from the University of Utrecht with a dissertation titled Van Gogh, A Literary Mind, before teaching as an assistant professor at the University of Strasbourg for six years. He has been the scientific director of the Institut Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise from 2013 to 2023, founded Van Gogh & Van Gogh in 2021, and created The Van Gogh Academy in 2025 (www.academy.vg).
Historical advice
Van Gogh’s legacy has inspired countless novels, plays, films, songs, immersive shows and exhibitions. This multitude of creative projects demonstrates the extent to which Van Gogh’s art is still alive today and generally offers wonderful access to the deeply felt emotions and realities of the past.
Artistic creation should not be hampered by an over-emphasis on historical accuracy. Those who write about the past inevitably reinvent it, at least partially. But some efforts to recreate history, however well-intended, can become the vectors of inaccurate, misleading, biased or even disrespectful information. This is unfortunate not only for Van Gogh’s legacy, but also because there are financial implications for the artists involved. When critics question whether a work is historically accurate or merely a piece of fiction, the piece seems to attract smaller audiences.
Van Gogh & Van Gogh has extensive experience in assisting writers, artists and producers in their quest to revive the 19th century. We offer the best and most accurate advice for any creative project involving Van Gogh’s art, life and era.