Boijmans

Boijmans, formally Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, is a major art museum in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The collection spans from the Middle Ages to the present and covers Dutch and Flemish art as well as broader European works, with holdings across painting, sculpture, design, and applied arts. The museum emphasizes a broad chronological range and a diverse array of media, reflecting the history of European art.

History and origins: The museum’s foundations lie in the 19th century, built on private collections donated by two Rotterdam families, the Boijmans and the Van Beuningen, whose legacies formed the core of the public collection. Over the years the institution expanded through gifts, bequests, and acquisitions, establishing itself as one of the Netherlands’ leading art museums.

Location and buildings: The museum is situated on Museum Park in central Rotterdam, near other cultural institutions. In 2021, the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen opened as a separate building designed by MVRDV to house the entire collection in climate-controlled storage and to provide public access to select works as part of the museum program. The main museum building has undergone modernization to improve presentation, conservation facilities, and visitor services.

Collections and programs: Boijmans Van Beuningen presents permanent displays alongside temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and digital access to its holdings. The collection offers a cross-section of European art from the 15th to the 21st centuries, making it a significant resource for research, scholarship, and public enjoyment in the Netherlands.