The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam says that a "full body scan" carried out on its version of the Dutch master's iconic "Sunflowers" has shown the painting is in "stable but vulnerable" condition and not fit to travel.

In this photo taken on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, senior paintings conservator Rene Boitelle works on restoring Vincent van Gogh's world-famous "Sunflowers" painting at the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo: AP)

The museum's director Axel Rueger said Thursday that results of research carried out during an ongoing restoration mean that the world famous painting will no longer be loaned out to other museums.

He says "from now on this top work from out collection is staying at home in Amsterdam, where people can admire it every day."

The museum's version of Van Gogh's masterpiece is one of five similar paintings of sunflowers in a vase held by museums around the world.

The painting will go back on display next month.