The world-renowned Van Gogh Museum<\/a> in Amsterdam<\/a> faces the threat of closure unless the Dutch<\/a> government steps in to fund crucial repairs to its ageing building, its director has warned.<\/p>\n Since opening its doors in 1973, the institution has welcomed nearly 57 million visitors, drawn by its priceless collection of works by Vincent van Gogh<\/a>. <\/p>\n Among its celebrated masterpieces are one of his iconic ‘Sunflowers’ paintings, ‘Almond Blossom’, ‘The Potato Eaters’, and a vibrant depiction of his bedroom in Arles.<\/p>\n However, Director Emilie Gordenker revealed on Thursday that the original, state-owned building is in such a dilapidated state that extensive and urgent maintenance is required to ensure the safety of both its invaluable collection and its visitors. <\/p>\n “If we don\u2019t address the major maintenance that needs to happen, we will have to close,” she told The Associated Press, following initial reports of her concerns in The New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 50-year-old structure is in dire need of “major maintenance,” with discussions spanning two years failing to resolve a dispute over how to finance the estimated \u20ac104 million ($121 million) repairs. <\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam celebrates one of the world\u2019s most renowned artists (Associated Press)<\/p>\n These works are projected to commence in 2028 and last for three years. Ms Gordenker stressed the escalating urgency, stating: “It\u2019s now getting very urgent.”<\/p>\n She said that during the renovation, the museum<\/a> would be partly closed and would therefore earn less from ticket sales. \u201cThe only thing we\u2019re asking them to do is to help us finance the basic maintenance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The nearby Rijksmuseum<\/a> shut down for years for a large-scale renovation, but Gordenker says that kind of major facelift is not what the Van Gogh Museum<\/a> is appealing for.<\/p>\n Among other things, urgent repairs are needed for air conditioning, elevators, even the sewage system.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the fun, sexy, let\u2019s build a new wing stuff,” she said.<\/p>\n In a written reaction, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science said that the museum receives an annual subsidy \u201csufficient to carry out the necessary maintenance. This position is based on extensive expert research commissioned by the Ministry.\u201d<\/p>\n open image in gallery<\/p>\n Since its opening in 1973, nearly 57 million visitors have passed through the Van Gogh Museum to gaze at iconic works<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Netherlands-Van_Gogh_Museum_72891.jpg\")
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