Sunflowers (1889) is one of Vincent van Gogh’s best-known paintings. A great deal of innovative research has been devoted to this masterpiece from the Van Gogh Museum’s collection in recent years. An international team of specialists headed by former senior conservator Ella Hendriks examined Sunflowers using the latest scientific techniques, in order to gather as much information as possible about the canvas, the ground, the paint layers and the previous restorations carried out on the work.

Exhibition
The exhibition Van Gogh and the Sunflowers will show what the research has contributed to:

• Our knowledge of Van Gogh’s working methods;
• The discolouration of certain pigments;
• The painting’s conservation history;
• The current condition of the work.
• Symposium

The Van Gogh Museum is organising a symposium on Friday 21 June, to accompany the exhibition.

• Members of the research team will present their most important findings
• Launch of the publication Van Gogh's Sunflowers Illuminated: Art Meets Science takes place. This scholarly publication is written by scientists, conservators and art historians. It shows the results of several years of research into the sunflowers paintings in the Van Gogh Museum and the National Gallery.

Download the Symposium program for more detailed information on topics and speakers.

Symposium program (pdf)

Registration
The registration fee is €60. Students get a discount and will only pay €40. The first ten students to register will get free access. The fee includes admission to the Van Gogh Museum, lunch and refreshments. Be sure to register, as access is limited. For enquiries or registration, please send an email to symposium@vangoghmuseum.nl.

You will receive a confirmation email with subscription and payment instructions as soon as possible. Your registration is official once your payment has been accepted.