Axel Rüger, director of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, has confirmed that the attraction is to undergo an renovation programme commencing at the end of 2012.

The work is designed to comply with "sharpened" legal requirements set out by the Dutch government and will help ensure the condition of the building and the safety of visitors. Adjustments to meet greater security needs for visitors and exhibits were partially complete in 2010, with the forthcoming renovation to comprise the second phase.

Work is due for completion in mid-2014, in accordance with an agreement with the Dutch Government Buildings Agency and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Around 75 paintings and works on paper from the Van Gogh Museum's collection will go on show at the Herenvleugel of the Hermitage Amsterdam from October 2012.

Rüger said: "We worked very hard on finding a solution to keeping Van Gogh's masterpieces visible to the public during the renovation. "For the duration of the renovation we will be able to show our collection in the Herenvleugel, one of the Hermitage Amsterdam's two exhibition wings."

The Van Gogh Museum is scheduled to reopen in March 2013. Image: Taxiarchos228 from de.wikipedia.org