'Wedding church' Etten-Leur 40th Van Gogh Monument
Van Gogh experts have declared the Dutch Reformed Church in Etten-Leur Noord a Van Gogh Monument. The church on the Van Bergenplein is popularly known as the 'Trouwkerkje'. This expands the number of official Van Gogh Monuments in Brabant to 40. Van Gogh visited the church in 1881 and befriended the family of Reverend Kam with whom he began drawing in the Etten-Leur area.
The team of experts - Ron Dirven (Vincent van GoghHuis Zundert) and Helewise Berger (Het Noordbrabants Museum) - is conducting research into Vincent van Gogh's relationship with Brabant in collaboration with the Van Gogh Brabant Foundation. Teio Meedendorp, senior researcher Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam, endorsed the granting of the Trouwkerkje as a Van Gogh Monument on its behalf. The status underlines the significance of the location for the life and work of Vincent van Gogh, who was born and grew up in Brabant.
Helewise Berger: "Vincent van Gogh visited this church in 1881 with his painter friend Anthon van Rappard. The pastor was a close acquaintance and colleague of Vincent's father Theodorus van Gogh."
Sketchbooks of Reverend Kam's children.
Vincent van Gogh went drawing with the Reverend Kam's children with some regularity. Several sketchbooks have been preserved in the Kam family archives with sketches from 1881 that were made in Etten and Leur. The drawings, which have not been published before, are valuable study material for learning more about Vincent's period and work in Etten-Leur. For example, a sketch of a peasant woman peeling potatoes by Catharina Cornelia Kam bears a striking resemblance to a model Vincent drew here.
Ron Dirven:"During his stay at the rectory in Etten between April and December 1881, Vincent hung out with the children of Rev. Kam, who, like himself, harbored artistic ambitions. Further research into the sketchbooks, documents and photographs from the Kam family archives is expected to reveal more details. We are proud to report that we can investigate this."
'Wedding church of Leur'
The Dutch Reformed church in 'Leur' dates from 1614 and is a national monument. The interior of the church contains three decorated text boards (1616-1648), pews with neo-Gothic letter panels and a unique organ by Jacobus Zeemans (1716). The church is owned by the municipality of Etten-Leur and is currently used as a wedding venue. With some regularity, it also hosts exhibitions and concerts.
Van Gogh heritage in Etten-Leur
The new monument is a valuable addition to the Van Gogh heritage in Etten-Leur, the municipality where Vincent van Gogh began his career. The painter experienced a turbulent period in Etten-Leur that would prove decisive for his further development as an artist. The exhibition in the Van Gogh Church on the Raadhuisplein in 'Etten' illustrates this phase and, in combination with a guided walk along the Van Gogh Monuments, offers visitors a penetrating insight into Van Gogh's life.
René Verwijmeren, Alderman for Culture Municipality of Etten-Leur: "Etten-Leur played an important role in the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. We arepleased that this fortieth monument provides an additional reason for Van Gogh lovers to delve into his story. With the upcoming renewal of the exhibition in the Van Gogh Church on the Raadhuisplein and the themed farmers' room in Museum De kunst van het Leven in the Sint Paulushofje on the Markt, Etten-Leur, together with Zundert and Nuenen, is telling the unique genesis story of Vincent van Gogh in Brabant."
Atlas Van Gogh in Brabant
Van Gogh Brabant is committed to the preservation and development of Vincent's heritage and its significance. A total of 40 locations in Brabant have now been designated Van Gogh Monument. They are extensively described and illustrated in the Atlas Van Gogh in Brabant. This will be published next year in collaboration with Het Noordbrabants Museum and publisher WBOOKS and will contain new insights and backgrounds to Vincent's life in North Brabant.
"Vincent drew regularly with Reverend Kam's children. Several sketchbooks have been preserved in the family archives. For example, a sketch by Catharina Cornelia Kam of a peasant woman peeling potatoes bears a striking resemblance to a model Vincent drew here."
Etten-Leur's culture councilor René Verwijmeren: "Proud!"
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Van Gogh Monuments are sites that are considered extraordinarily valuable heritage sites because of their value to the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh Sites Foundation is committed to preserving these monuments for future generations.
Van Gogh Monuments
