Van Gogh Statue in Nuenen Central Park, Eindhoven

Nuenen Central Park, otherwise simply referred to as Het Park (The Park) by locals, is a public garden of triangular shape, which is often regarded as the historical center of the town (although it isn't). Nonetheless, this oasis of greenery, with benches, a nice pond, a bridge, and a pretty fountain in the middle, is a regular scene of public gatherings. Also adding to its appeal are several nearby cafes and bars, one of which is named after Van Gogh.

Speaking of Van Gogh, in 1984, a statue of the painter was erected inside the park to mark the centenary of his stay in the town, from 1883 to 1885. The unveiling of the monument took place on 30 March 1984.

The sculpture was commissioned by the "Nuenen-100 Years of Van Gogh" Foundation and was created by the Dutch artist Klaas van Rosmalen. It is based on Van Gogh's self-portrait in a gray hat. The sculptor intended to reflect the natural state of the artist as he used to walk around the town in search of inspiration.

The statue is set on a plinth made of a two-and-a-half-ton carboniferous limestone that is over 300 million years old (!!!) and was extracted in the southern Ardennes. The memorial plaque on it carries a quote from one of Van Gogh's letters (Letter 368 of 15 May 1884) which reads: "And the Brabant that one has dreamed of, reality sometimes comes very close to that".