Unbubble at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam

By Signe Hansen

The Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art and Design in Amsterdam brings more than a century of art history to life in a sweeping permanent exhibition. With a collection of around 100,000 works and a history defined by being the museum that “brought the latest first,” it remains a place where visitors encounter both familiar icons and unexpected, bold contemporary works.

Founded in 1895, the Stedelijk quickly became known as the Netherlands’ leading museum for modern and contemporary art. Its early embrace of new movements – from Cubism to Russian abstraction – shaped its reputation as an institution in close dialogue with artists and ideas. “The Stedelijk has always had a very close relationship with artists,” says press officer Marie-José Raven. “Jeff Koons’ first major show wasn’t in the US – it was here. Cindy Sherman showed here early on, too. We are not as big as Tate or MoMA, but we have strong connections with artists, and that is reflected in both the collection and the programme.”

Installation view Tomorrow is a Different Day. Collection 1980 – now. Photo: Gert Jan van Rooij.

Alongside the exhibitions, the building itself is part of the experience: the historic museum adjoins a striking, light-filled modern annexe affectionately known in Amsterdam as ‘the bathtub’.

Inside, visitors can experience a large-scale collection presentation of over 500 works, offering a walk-through of the major movements of classic modern, modern, and contemporary art and design from the 1880s to the present. The museum also holds the world’s largest collection of Malevich works outside Russia and continues to expand its holdings of underrepresented female artists. Meanwhile, in the entrance hall, the changing Sculpture Hall presents some of the museum’s most iconic works as well as the best coffee in town and an inspiring gift and book shop, all accessible with no entrance fee.

Erwin Olaf, Self-Portrait, I Am, 2009 © Estate Erwin Olaf, courtesy Gallery Ron Mandos Amsterdam

This year’s special exhibitions include a major exhibition devoted to photographer Erwin Olaf, tracing his evolution from socially engaged reportage to his polished, psychologically charged staged photography. In the autumn, visitors will also be able to immerse themselves in the world of Yayoi Kusama, in one of the museum’s most anticipated upcoming shows.

In the spirit of what Raven calls an invitation to ‘unbubble’, the Stedelijk encourages visitors to step outside their usual tastes and discover something wholly new. “Whenever you visit, you will be surprised by things you haven’t seen before – a big mural by a contemporary artist, an installation you can walk into. Besides the beautiful classic collections, you will be amazed and challenged by new ideas.”

Unbubble at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam