Amsterdam’s new Van Gogh exhibition paints a portrait of familial affection

The story of how Theo, Jo and Vincent Willem preserved and promoted Van Gogh’s oeuvre is a tale of triumph over adversity, writes William Cook

Keeping it in the family (from left): Vincent Willem, Jo, Van Gogh and Theo (Van Gogh Museum/Vincent van Gogh Foundation)

Here in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum is throwing a spectacular birthday party – not for Vincent van Gogh but for the museum itself. It’s 50 years since this gallery opened, back in 1973. The home of the world’s biggest Van Gogh collection, it attracts millions of visitors every year.

However, this golden jubilee isn’t just about the numbers. What makes the Van Gogh Museum so special is its unique connection with three members of Van Gogh’s family – his brother Theo, Theo’s wife, Jo, and their only child, Vincent Willem. It was this familial trio who kept Van Gogh’s legacy alive. Without them, this splendid museum would not exist, and Van Gogh never would have become the iconic figure who is so familiar to us today.