Van Gogh's Head of a Woman bought by Den Bosch museum for €8.6 million

More than 3,000 individuals, along with the Ministry of Culture, funds, and businesses, opened their wallets to permanently bring Vincent van Gogh's Head of a Woman to the Noordbrabants Museum in Den Bosch. And it was a success. The portrait of Gordina de Groot, painted in 1885 in Nuenen, was purchased for 8.6 million euros from a British collector.

The museum launched an additional campaign in May to raise the final 2.6 million euros needed for the purchase. As a result, the collector offered the painting directly, allowing the museum to acquire it without competitive bidding.

The majority of the asking price had already been covered, thanks in part to contributions from the Dutch government and several funds. The museum also tapped into its own reserves. At that point, only an average of 1 euro per person in Noord-Brabant was still needed.

The painting of Gordina had previously been on loan in Den Bosch, but the museum was eager to make her a permanent resident, especially since she was a local woman who also appears in Van Gogh’s world-famous The Potato Eaters. The museum urged "all Brabanders to seize this opportunity and keep Gordina close to her roots forever."

"Gordina’s gaze reveals the hard work in the fields and the concerns that come with it," said museum director Jacqueline Grandjean in the spring. At the same time, she believes the painting also reflects the pride and resilience of the people of Brabant.

Culture Minister Eppo Bruins is pleased that the painting was finally acquired. "I am very glad that so many individuals contributed to the purchase of this painting. It shows there is broad support for this acquisition," he said. He described the acquisition as "important for the Netherlands, for Brabant, and for the rich history it represents."

The painting will also go on tour through the province in 2026. Gordina is the Noordbrabants Museum’s largest-ever acquisition