In 2025, it will be 140 years since Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890) painted his masterpiece The Potato Eaters in the Brabant village of Nuenen. In the Netherlands, we are deeply attached to this tuber, and Van Gogh noticed this too. How did this rugged root inspire artists in the 19th and 20th centuries? At the heart of the exhibition is the painting of the farmer's daughter Gordina de Groot, which made global headlines in 2024.
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The Potato as the Main Character
You often see lemons and apples in paintings, but potatoes much less so. They seem too ordinary and not very appealing. Yet Van Gogh gave the potato a starring role in at least six still lifes. This humble crop earned a striking place in his work, alongside apples, pears, and wheat fields.
Now, 140 years after The Potato Eaters, we explore why this modest root vegetable was so important to him.
Vincent van Gogh, Spittende boerin, juli-september 1885. Het Noordbrabants Museum, ’s-Hertogenbosch. Foto René Gerritsen. Verworven met steun van de Vereniging Rembrandt, mede dankzij het Cultuurfonds
Potatoes in Nuenen
Early in his career, Van Gogh painted everyday objects, including the potato. This humble crop became more than just a study subject. It grew into a symbol of colour, texture, and the rural life he sought to capture.
In Nuenen, he continued this search, giving the potato a special place in his work. From practice piece to masterpiece.
Discover for yourself why this ordinary subject took on such great meaning in Van Gogh’s art.
