This is Vincent.
Master Painter.
Human Being.
This is Vincent.
All ears.
Vincent AI
‘Vincent. All ears.’ examines in a practical way the extent to which it is possible to virtually recreate a historical figure realistically and vividly with the help of artificial intelligence.
Vincent van Gogh is the ideal candidate. For more than a hundred years his work and person have been studied and described. More importantly, there are more than eight hundred letters by his hand describing his circumstances, work and feelings.
In ‘Vincent. All ears.’ we bring together as many of these sources as possible. We study them and offer them for learning for the training of an artificial intelligence. We do so carefully. We report on our considerations and findings. And we work with respect for Vincent’s legacy and person, the published body of thought we use, and everyone who interacts with the virtual Vincent. In other words, we take our time.
Engage in conversation with Vincent
Chat with Vincent van Gogh as you do with friends. Ask a question. Give your opinion. And let Vincent tell you about Vincent. His time in Nuenen. His idols. His inspiration. A complicated color theory. The role of light in his work. His faith, his favorite meal, or how it felt to him, in his final years. Go ahead, Vincent is all ears.
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
This link will take you to the app and allow you to talk to Vincent. The app is not yet finished. It is an ongoing exploration of the potential of artificial intelligence to connect with Vincent’s thoughts, feelings and work in an interactive and lively way.
Closer to Vincent
Vincent van Gogh is world famous. His work and how it speaks to the public is masterful.
It was Vincent’s fervent wish that his work could be experienced by as many people as possible. Vincent’s descendants made every effort to make that wish come true. They kept the collection together, traveled the world to bring Vincent close, and they published his letters.
The publication of Vincent’s letters, first in Vincent’s Dutch and French, then in English, took enormous time and effort. Editors Jo van Gogh-Bonger and her son Vincent “The Engineer” van Gogh worked with love, care and justification of every sentence.
Through those letters, the world hears “Vincent’s voice” and we see through his eyes. We feel his enthusiasm, the love for his brother. We get to know the dark side. That he was a difficult man, not easy to call “a friend. And sometimes just plain rude. We try to grasp between the words Vincent’s inner life.
With the letters came the studies, interpretations, stories, books, movies and dozens of “cameos” in popular culture.
The world has always wanted to be close to Vincent. We love his work. And of man. That’s what makes Vincent, Vincent. And now, now we can get closer than ever.
This is Vincent.
Master Painter. Human being.
Here’s Vincent.
All ears.
We are the originators of Vincent, all ears. We are proud Brabanders with a heart for Vincent’s work and its ongoing significance. We started this program to contribute to the preservation of perhaps the most difficult part of the legacy to grasp: the man himself. We see the rate at which artificial intelligence is becoming an entry point to grandmasters of the past and how carelessly that often goes. We feel it is our duty to make a contribution for the more valuable conversation with virtual Vincent. Thus, with this we hope to provide a new “interface” on the letters that will allow enthusiasts and scholars to “converse” with Vincent’s thought in an intuitive, associative way.
Vincent all ears’ is an initiative of
and is made possible in part by support from
#1 looking back and forward
In the summer of 2023, the idea of wanting to engage with Vincent using AI technology was born. What has happened since its inception, what steps have been taken and where are we moving?
#2 support and connection
Our initiative to enter into the conversation with Vincent is gaining a growing audience and support. At an early stage, Van Gogh Sites Foundation joined with the Van Gogh Village Museum in Nuenen.
#3 on to the next phase
We are delighted and happy! CON Nuenen embraces our initiative and donates a contribution to make a solid next step. On October 30, 2024 we will share this great news together during the CONNected festival in Nuenen.
#4 JADS & SME Datalab
On Wednesday, September 11, our team members Silviya and Rob pitched our program at JADS (Jheronimus Academy of Data Science), together with the SME Datalab. Students participated in the presentations and formed the selection groups for further follow-up and elaboration under Rob’s guidance.