Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. In 1849 the lawyer Boijmans left his art collection to the city of Rotterdam. With the acquisition of the Van Beuningen collection in 1958 the museum got the second part of its name. The museum houses a unique collection of paintings, sculptures and everyday objects. The collection of prints and drawings is one of the best in the world. The museum also organises a diverse programme of spectacular temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

The building of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen comprises three buildings, each with its own function and character. In 2020 these will be joined by the Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot, a publicly accessible art storage facility with exhibition spaces and a Grand Café. Over the years Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen’s accommodation has taken on different forms and been considerably extended more than once. Time and again directors and architects have had clear ideas about the best way to house the collection. How can architecture enhance the perception of works of art? This has been an ever-present question in the history of the museum building.