Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there two types of tickets for one exhibition? Why is there a surplus? Read the answers to frequently asked questions about the exhibition.
For the first time in their history, the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam are joining forces to stage a major exhibition of one of the most important artists of our time: Anselm Kiefer.
The exhibition, which opens in spring 2025, places Kiefer centre stage. From his childhood, Kiefer has had a special connection to the work of Vincent van Gogh. To this day, Kiefer's admiration for Van Gogh is visibly present in his work. He also has a long, personal history with the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. The museum bought and displayed his work from the beginning, giving Kiefer recognition for his art.
Especially for this exhibition, Kiefer has created new works that have never been seen before. Of course, popular favourites from the collections of both museums are also on display. At the Van Gogh Museum, famous paintings by Vincent van Gogh will be shown along with works by Kiefer. At the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, you will see all the Kiefers from the collection together for the first time.
Anselm Kiefer - Sag mir wo die Blumen sind is one exhibition divided between two museums. Two types of ticket will soon be available for the Van Gogh Museum:
The title of the exhibition, Sag mir wo die Blumen sind, refers to the anti-war song of the same name by American folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, which later became widely known in a German rendition by Marlene Dietrich. The title also refers to Kiefer’s new work of the same name to be shown at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and to Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
Anselm Kiefer (b. 1945, Donaueschingen, Germany) was born in the closing months of World War II. In the late 1960s, Kiefer was one of the first German artists to address the country’s fraught history in monumental, acerbic works for which he sustained intense criticism in his homeland.
In the Netherlands, his work first gained recognition among collectors and museums like the Stedelijk. Later, Kiefer would be hailed for breaking the silence surrounding Germany’s past. His work reflects on themes such as history, mythology, philosophy, literature, alchemy, and landscape.
Discover the stories hidden behind the artworks in the exhibition and book a private guided tour for you and your group or join an existing group.
Discover the world of Anselm Kiefer in about 20 minutes per museum. You will get an explanation of Kiefer's impressive work full of deeper layers and extraordinary use of materials. You can easily book the audio tour online, together with your entrance ticket. You can easily book the audio tour online, together with your entrance ticket.
The audio tour is available in 7 languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Chinese.
Poetry is an important source of inspiration for Anselm Kiefer. Create your own poem inspired by a work of art by Kiefer in a few steps. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a teacher from the School of Poetry will be on hand to help you.
When: every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 March Time: 14-16 hours
Please mind that Write Poetry is only offered at the Van Gogh Museum.
The Blikopeners of the Stedelijk Museum provide free speed tours during the May Holidays, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12 and 4 pm. You can join a Dutch- or English-speaking tour every half hour.
Blikopeners are open-minded Amsterdam youth who spend a year working with art and design at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Speedtours are only offered at the Stedelijk Museum.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays during the May Holidays, visitors to the Stedelijk Museum can join these walk-in workshops for free in the museum's Entrance Area.
The walk-in workshops are only offered at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.
The exhibition Anselm Kiefer - Sag mir wo die Blumen sind is the outcome of a close collaboration between Atelier Anselm Kiefer, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, and White Cube gallery.
Anselm Kiefer, Die Krähen (The Crows), 2019. © Anselm Kiefer Collection of the artist, courtesy White Cube. Photo: Georges Poncet
Vincent van Gogh, Wheatfield with Crows, 1890, oil on canvas, 50.5 × 103 cm, collection Van Gogh Museum (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
Anselm Kiefer, The Starry Night, 2019 © Anselm Kiefer. Photo: Georges Poncet [Collection of the artist, courtesy White Cube].
Anselm Kiefer, Innenraum, 1981, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam