The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is one of the most important museums for modern and contemporary art and design in the Netherlands.
Located in Museumplein, Amsterdam, it houses an extensive collection of works from the late 19th century to the present.
History
The museum was founded in 1895 as a municipal museum for modern art, thanks to a donation from Sophie de Bruyn, the widow of a wealthy businessman.
The original Neo-Renaissance building, designed by Adriaan Willem Weissman, was constructed to house contemporary Dutch and international art.
Due to space limitations, the museum underwent a major renovation and expansion starting in the 2000s.
In 2012, it reopened with the addition of a new wing, often called the “Bathtub”, designed by Benthem Crouwel Architects.
During the 2012 reopening, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam recorded over 95,000 visitors in just one month.
Architecture
The newly added section of the museum, with its large roof, is called the Benthem Crouwel Wing, and it features experimental works and video art.
The ground floor of the Benthem Crouwel Wing serves as the entrance, the basement houses the permanent collection, and the second floor, known as the “Bathtub”, is dedicated to special exhibitions. Other major works from the collection are displayed in the Adriaan Weissman-designed original building.
the “Bathtub” Design
The new extension has a smooth, curved, horizontal shape that resembles the oval form of a bathtub. The building’s overhanging roof and the way it sits above the ground level enhance this impression.
The original building, designed by Adriaan van der Laan in 1895, is more traditional and rectangular. The contrast between the modern, curved extension and the older structure highlights the unique, almost sculptural quality of the new addition.
The white, smooth exterior of the new wing adds to its resemblance to a bathtub, with a sleek, polished finish that stands out against the surrounding architecture.
This playful comparison to a bathtub emphasizes the building’s bold, unconventional design, which stands out as an iconic part of Amsterdam’s architectural landscape.
Collection
The museum features works by major artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian, Kazimir Malevich, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Gerrit Rietveld.
It covers movements like De Stijl, Bauhaus, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and Minimalism.
The museum hosts rotating temporary exhibitions, showcasing contemporary artists and new trends in art and design.
Apart from fine arts, it also has an impressive collection of industrial design, graphic design, and applied arts.
The Stedelijk Museum is a must-visit for art lovers interested in avant-garde movements and contemporary creativity.
Its location next to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum makes it part of Amsterdam’s cultural hub.
Attacks on Barnett Newman’s Paintings at the Stedelijk Museum
Barnett Newman’s paintings at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam were targeted twice—once in 1986 and again in 1997. Both incidents involved vandalism by individuals who strongly opposed modern art.
1986 – The mentally ill man who slashed Barnett Newman’s painting on display at the museum with a box cutter was sentenced to eight months in prison, with no parole for two years, and was banned from entering the museum for three years.
1997 – Eleven years later, the same man slashed another painting by Barnett Newman. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in court, but he was permanently banned from entering the museum.
Since this incident, visitors have only been allowed to view Barnett Newman’s paintings from a distance of one meter.
Destruction of the Large Roof
In 2011, the Museumplein was used to celebrate the Ajax football team’s victory.
During the celebration, supporters participating in the event caused significant damage to the museum’s large roof and glass panels. The total damage amounted to €400,000.
The following year, the event was held at a different location, but recently, security measures have been strengthened, and the event has resumed being held at Museumplein.
This serves as a lesson to be cautious about reckless behavior.
Museum Tour in Amsterdam