Discover the area where the young Vincent took drawing lessons
Welcome to Tilburg. It is here that the young Van Gogh received his first drawing lessons from master Huijsmans in 1866. When Van Gogh arrived in Tilburg at the age of thirteen, the population of the ‘city’ was around 18,500. The Tilburg-Breda railway line and station had been there for just three years, and the most common occupations were weaver and factory worker. In the immediate vicinity of Tilburg, is the stream landscape of the Leij and Voorste Stroom, as was the case back then, with its small fields and characteristic pollard willows. Take a walk out of the city and into the countryside and discover the cosy Piushaven, De Nieuwe Herdgang observation tower and Moerenburg-Koningshoeven Country Park.
The story of Vincent van Gogh in Tilburg
Tilburg …
Discover the area where the young Vincent took drawing lessons
Welcome to Tilburg. It is here that the young Van Gogh received his first drawing lessons from master Huijsmans in 1866. When Van Gogh arrived in Tilburg at the age of thirteen, the population of the ‘city’ was around 18,500. The Tilburg-Breda railway line and station had been there for just three years, and the most common occupations were weaver and factory worker. In the immediate vicinity of Tilburg, is the stream landscape of the Leij and Voorste Stroom, as was the case back then, with its small fields and characteristic pollard willows. Take a walk out of the city and into the countryside and discover the cosy Piushaven, De Nieuwe Herdgang observation tower and Moerenburg-Koningshoeven Country Park.
The story of Vincent van Gogh in Tilburg
Tilburg is where Van Gogh took his very first drawing lessons at the age of thirteen. On 15 September 1866, the sparkling new Hogere Burger School Koning Willem II welcomed him as one of its most outstanding pupils, with excellent grades from his primary school in Zevenbergen under his belt. Vincent boarded with the Hannik family at Korvel 57, now Sint Annaplein 18-19. Here, a plaque and a special bench dedicated to Van Gogh recall Vincent’s time in Tilburg.
Vincent had a sense for languages and always did well. At the former palace of King Willem II, now the Palace Town Hall of Tilburg, he received drawing lessons from painter Constant Cornelis Huijsmans (1810-1886). Huijsmans paid considerable attention to drawing depth and was known as an excellent drawing teacher. Yet, in later years, Vincent never mentioned his drawing lessons. Despite an excellent report in his transition to his second year at school, Vincent was withdrawn and returned to his parents’ home in Zundert. No one knows why.
Vincent lived in Tilburg for around a year and a half. The Wilhelmina Canal hadn’t been dug at that time, and the landscape was dominated by streams, small fields and pollard willows, all of which were characteristic of his later work.
Want to know more about Vincent’s time in Tilburg? Visit www.vangoghbrabant.com/tilburg. Here, you’ll find an interesting walk through the Korvel and the city centre.
Sustainability Valley
Volunteers from the Sustainability Valley (Duurzaamheidsvallei) Foundation are currently working hard to improve the sustainability of the area between Moerenburg (Tilburg) and Durendael (Oisterwijk) along the Voorste Stroom. They are helping to promote natural development, enhance the flora and fauna and stimulate sustainable energy. The Foundation is also laying footpaths. You will encounter a number of guides and information panels along the route, sharing stories about the nature and culture of the area.
Van Gogh National Park
The Van Gogh walking tours in the Van Gogh National Park immerse you in the landscape Vincent van Gogh fell in love with. Enjoy the meandering streams, extensive nature reserves, farmland, country estates and greenery that stretches out right into the heart of the villages and towns. The locals are working together to preserve and expand this beautiful, healthy and green living environment. With Vincent van Gogh as their guide.
Finding the way with numbered junctions
This Van Gogh NP walking tour has been mapped out using the local numbered junction system. You can recognise the route by the signs with the words 'Van Gogh National Park', which you will find on every junction post.Between the junctions you can follow the junction system signposts.
Routes reporting point
If you find something wrong with the signage or the route itself, you can report it via the Brabant junction route reporting point. You can also call 0800 4050050 free of charge.