AMSTERDAM.- Vincent van Gogh’s artworks can now also be ‘seen’ by means of touch: the Van Gogh Museum has started with a special programme for the blind and visually impaired. Feeling Van Gogh is an interactive guided tour including a workshop involving various senses. Feeling Van Gogh makes Vincent van Gogh’s art accessible for visitors who are visually impaired, as well as for their friends, family and attendants with proper eyesight.

Stimulating the senses
Five times a year, specially trained tour guides take the visitors on a tour through the museum, explaining Van Gogh’s story by means of the paintings belonging to the permanent collection. Next, a workshop will take place in a studio, especially designed for this purpose: Van Gogh’s works can literally be touched by way of simplified maps in relief and a model of The Bedroom. Furthermore, the senses are stimulated by the scent of lavender from the south of France and quotations from Van Gogh’s letter that are read out loud.

Van Gogh Museum Relievo Collection
The Van Gogh Museum Relievos are the central focus of this workshop: premium quality 3D reproductions of Van Gogh’s paintings.

These Relievos were developed by the museum at an earlier stage and they have shown to be very suitable for use during this programme. Van Gogh is actually known for his thick, impasto brush technique and the Relievos now offer the blind and visually impaired the opportunity to experience his paintings by touching them. Touching these paintings is also a unique experience for participants with proper eyesight.

A museum meant for everybody
One of the most important aims of the Van Gogh Museum is making the life and art of Vincent van Gogh accessible to as many people as possible. Feeling Van Gogh is an important step forward in achieving this. Coming into contact with the artworks by appealing to various senses and discussing Van Gogh’s art together results in a very positive effect on how the blind and the visually impaired experience the museum. Feeling Van Gogh has been developed thanks to a substantial contribution from the Oogfonds (foundation for the blind and visually impaired).

I had visited the Van Gogh Museum before, but it was mainly something that the other members of my family enjoyed and I was simply dragging my feet. This time I felt I was also participating and that was fun, because you really experience the museum a lot better.’ Robert – visually impaired participant