Exhibition ‘The Potato Eaters. Mistake or Masterpiece?’

Mistake or masterpiece?

The exhibition is an ode to the famous work that Vincent van Gogh completed in 1885 while living in Brabant. The story told by the preparatory paintings, studies, sketches and letters is one of ambition, perseverance and criticism. A story for young and old alike about keeping faith in yourself.

The exhibition explores the background to The Potato Eaters and the painting’s significance. It will help you form your own opinion of the work that Vincent himself thought was the best thing he ever did.

Life-size reconstruction

In The Potato Eaters Studio you'll get even closer to the master and his masterwork. In the setting of a life-size reconstruction, you will get to experience the famous painting differently.

Step right into the De Groot family’s cottage and take a seat at their dinner table. Vincent spent hours with them, capturing the family as The Potato Eaters.

A wide-ranging programme of activities is aimed especially at families with children aged 4 to 17. Make a peasant self-portrait at one of the drawing tables, try your hand at sketching an object featured in the painting, or get creative in one of the workshops.

Guided tour

Explore the paintings in the exhibition together with a guide and listen to the stories hiding behind the canvas.

Time to experiment

Conduct your own experiments with colour and light, puzzle with sketches or create your own masterpiece with the apps developed especially for the exhibition.

Outside of the exhibition, the four apps are also available online. Discover them now! Open the apps in the browser on your desktop, laptop or tablet.

Audio guide

Did you know that Van Gogh made some 50 studies of ‘heads’ – as they were called at the time – while preparing for The Potato Eaters? Learn more intriguing details in the multimedia guide, and listen to quotes from the letters that Vincent wrote to his family and friends.

Book your multimedia guide for € 3 while booking your ticket online.

Publication

The exhibition is accompanied by The Potato Eaters. Van Gogh’s First Masterpiece. The publication illuminates the genesis of the painting. The book is written by researcher Bregje Gerritse, who also developed the exhibition concept.

Available in English and Dutch, in museum shop and online store, price: € 17.50.

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With thanks to

This exhibition has been made possible by the support of our partners:

The Potato Eaters Studio is fully financed with the support of ASML.