How to Find & Really "See" Van Gogh in the U.S.: 10 Tips for First-Time Seekers

Most people walk into a museum, find Van Gogh, take a photo, and move on. I used to do exactly that. It turns out I was missing almost everything!

Where to find Van Gogh Works & Exhibitions.

If you are wondering where to find Van Gogh's works in the U.S., start here:

• Tip 1: Bookmark The Vincent van Gogh Gallery (www.vggallery.com), specifically the World Map page.

I missed an opportunity to see the Detroit Institute of Arts exhibit, "Van Gogh in America," because I learned about it on the last weekend of the exhibition. I found a solution to keep me in the know so I could plan/budget for such opportunities.

• Tip 2: Set a Google Alert for "Van Gogh" to make sure you never miss another important exhibition announcement or news story. Hint: the site mentioned in Tip #1 also has a special section on exhibitions.

Van Gogh's works of art can be found in 20 states. Here are the ones I've been to and can strongly recommend (in order of the number of works available):

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art - The Met (New York, NY)

• Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago, IL)

• National Gallery of Art (Washington, DC)

• The Barnes Foundation (Philadelphia, PA)

• Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, PA)

• Museum of Modern Art - MoMA (New York, NY)​​

• The Phillips Collection (Washington, DC)​

• The Kreeger Museum (Washington, DC)

• The Legion of Honor (San Francisco, CA)

 How to really "See" Van Gogh's works.

As you read about Van Gogh, you'll quickly realize that his backstory and his works are completely inseparable. He didn't begin his artistic career until he was 27 and was dead by 37. Yet, he left behind a body of work that has inspired thousands of books. Standing in front of a Vincent van Gogh painting is like standing with him during his life.

• Tip 3: As you plan your trip, research which paintings you'll see. Learn from which period of his life those paintings or drawings come from.

• Tip 4: Read as much as you can (it doesn't have to be expensive). See my short list. Read physical books, digital editions, and even low-cost compilations like "Delphi Complete Works of Vincent van Gogh" (priced under $5.00 and includes his paintings, drawings, and letters). The more you see and read, the more context you'll have when visiting the museum.

• Tip 5: Prioritize seeing the work in person. There's nothing like seeing a Van Gogh in person. Photos of artwork can appear flat. But in person, you'll see more vibrant colors and the brushstrokes. You'll get a better sense of the style that defines Van Gogh.  Take your time. See it up close, then back up and get the full picture.
  

  

  Left: My photo of Van Gogh's "Vase with Zinnias" (1886) at The Kreeger Museum. Right: Photo of the same painting in a popular photo book. Older issue photo books may use more recent photos of art, distorting color, depth, and vibrancy. When possible, see the works in person!

• Tip 6: Know before you go! Using the Museum's website, check that the painting/drawing is actually on view. Museums often rotate works or take them off view for conservation, loans, or gallery changes. I've actually emailed museums to ask if the website isn't clear, and they always reply and answer my questions.

  
  

Learn from my mistakes.

I didn't study art in school or take a guided tour of a museum, so I've made a few mistakes along my journey. Let me help you avoid those.

• Tip 7: Don't focus on just his most famous works. Explore all of his available works on display. Before reading the wall text, look first. What strikes you? The color, the brushstrokes, the composition?

  
  

• Tip 8: Don't tour museums on someone else's clock. When traveling with others, agree to split up and meet later. "Meet you at the gift shop at X time." All parties are free to see and do what they wish.

• Tip 9: Don't rush. Even if you are by yourself, take the time. Savor the moment. Stand for a while. If there's a seat available in the gallery, wait for your turn, take a seat, and ponder the view. Don't zip through gallery after gallery at breakneck speed. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Don't treat it like a checklist.

• Tip 10: The gateway effect is real! Plan for it. Anywhere on the planet that you find Vincent van Gogh, you will find his contemporaries: Monet, Pissarro, Degas, and so on. Build in time to see them. Study the gallery map in advance if you can; they are almost always available online.

If you're just getting started on your journey, don't try to see everything. Prioritize what interests you most. Slow down. Look a little longer than you usually do. It all starts there.