Van Gogh Museum and ASML Develop New Teaching Materials about Art and Science

In two new interactive lessons from the Masterminds & Masterpieces programme developed by Dutch high-tech company ASML and the Van Gogh Museum, primary and secondary school pupils learn how museum restorers use infrared and X-rays to examine paintings. The lessons, offered in Dutch en English, which combine art and technology, are offered free of charge on Van Gogh at School, the Van Gogh Museum’s teaching platform.

Van Gogh Under Infrared and X-Rays

In the Masterminds & Masterpieces lessons Van Gogh under Infrared and Van Gogh under X-rays pupils discover how a restorer uses infrared and X-rays to examine paintings by Vincent van Gogh.

The extra-curricular lessons, which have been developed for primary school pupils and younger secondary school pupils, can be taught on a whiteboard but are also suitable for online (home) education.

During the lessons, pupils are challenged to experiment, look and compare by, for example, using a remote control to test which materials transmit or reflect infrared light. The new lessons about infrared and X-rays are, together with earlier lessons from the Masterminds & Masterpieces programme about how ultraviolet radiation works, available free of charge on the teaching platform Van Gogh at School.

For primary school:

For secondary school

ASML x Van Gogh Museum

Both the preservation and management of art, and the study of technology and science in general, require a curious, inquisitive attitude. As a Partner in Science, ASML works with the Van Gogh Museum to investigate methods for optimising the conservation of Vincent van Gogh’s world-famous paintings.

In addition, as the museum’s main partner, ASML focuses on facilitating educational activities that allow pupils to experience how important science and technology are to art and culture.