40 years after the anniversary of his death, a group of admirers thinks it's time for the first memorial to Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh expert Jacob B. de la Faille chairs the national committee, whose participants include artists Piet Mondriaan and Jan Sluijters and Rijksmuseum director Frederik Schmidt Degener. They choose Nuenen, where they believe Vincent's most important Dutch works were created. The sculptor Hildo Krop (1884-1970), also a member of the committee, is found willing to make a design. Due to various perils, it takes until July 30, 1932 before the memorial is unveiled; during its realization, a memorial stone is also placed on the former studio behind the rectory in 1930.
Krop designs a round tombstone made of Bavarian boulder in which the inscription is carved at the edge: 'in this village Vincent van Gogh worked December 1883-November 1885'. On top is a rough stone with a sun on it. The first rural Van Gogh monument is placed in the center near the large linden tree on the Berg. While initially the sun is focused on the tree, the whole is later turned toward the Papenvoort.
This was the first monument to Nuenen worldwide, and with the growing popularity of Vincent van Gogh, several tributes have taken place in and around Nuenen over the years.
