Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. In 1849, the jurist Boijmans bequeathed his art collection to the city of Rotterdam. The name of the museum was expanded with the acquisition of the Van Beuningen collection in 1958. The current museum building was opened in 1935, a monumental structure specifically built around the collection by city architect van der Steur. The stately appearance of red brick includes intimate cabinets and spacious salons where art can be appreciated in daylight. Through variation in form, size, and atmosphere, van der Steur aimed to create an environment in which the art can truly shine.

In 1971, an initial expansion took place on the left side of the building. An exhibition space was built, designed by architect Hubert-Jan-Henket, intended for the Van Beuningen-De Vriese collection (applied arts and industrial design). In 2003, the exhibition building was expanded one last time by the Flemish architectural firm Robbrecht&Daem Architects. Since 2019, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has been closed for renewal and renovation.

Karen Wuyts