The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, which boasts the largest collection of works by the celebrated Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, has issued an alarming warning: without government funding to cover essential repairs, it may be forced to close. Representatives of the Museum say that large-scale maintenance works are urgently needed to protect the collection and visitors. The cost of the work is estimated to be around €104 million ($121 million). Even though the Museum generates 85% of its income from visitors and private partnerships, it insists that the government must chip in under contractual obligation.

Why Is the Van Gogh Museum Under Threat?

The institution opened in 1973 and has since welcomed almost 57 million visitors, drawn to this iconic place by the staggering collection of van Gogh’s art. Instantly recognizable pieces such as “Sunflowers,” “Almond Blossom,” and “The Potato Eaters” are only some of the examples of the impressive, priceless collection exhibited at the Van Gogh Museum. The incessant flow of visitors has taken its toll on the museum building, which is currently in such a dilapidated state that extensive and urgent maintenance is required to ensure the safety of both the invaluable collection and visitors. Moreover, the construction has largely become obsolete over the past 50 years, with ventilation, climate control, safety, accessibility, and sustainability requiring full-scale upgrades.

Why Should the Government Be Involved?

It was van Gogh’s nephew, V.W. van Gogh, also referred to as “the Engineer,” who gave his permission for the art collection to become public in 1962. His main condition was that the Dutch government would create and maintain a museum to protect and celebrate the legacy of the famous artist. Therefore, the Van Gogh Museum insists that the government has to contribute to the implementation of its “Masterplan 2028,” a three-year upgrade program that will cover essential maintenance.

The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science insists that the Museum already receives a hefty sum from the state budget to cover the necessary maintenance. It is ready to contribute €8.5m a year, but the museum administration counters that they will need a much bigger sum: at least €11m a year. According to them, they have a right to request the stated sum because it is not the aesthetic upgrade they are looking for, but the basic maintenance changes without which the building would simply be unsafe. The dispute is now reviewed by the Dutch court, with the next court hearing scheduled for February 2026.