Stedelijk Museum

One of the most inventive and fascinating museums of modern art, the Stedelijk Museum, opened in the 1800's. Since its inception, the Stedelijk has drawn controversy over its policies, financial decisions, and artistic choices. Today it is home to lectures, presentations and film screenings that take place weekly on Thursdays. The Stedelijk also features one of the richest modern art collections in the world including 29 unique paintings by Casimir Malevich and a collection from De Stijl and the Cobra movement. Other displays include a Dutch photography collection, a collection of furniture and design, a collection of American and European trends in art since 1950, and German modern paintings.

The main structure of the Stedelijk was built between 1891 and 1895 at Paulus Potterstraat near the Rijksmuseum. It was founded to house the collection of art and antiques the city inherited from Sophia Augusta Lopez Suasso de Bruyn. In 1938, the Stedelijk was named the state museum of modern art. In 1973, the Van Gogh Museum was created utilizing part of the Stedelijk Museum. The two are now nestled closely together.

Scheduled renovations will expand the museum's exhibition space to twice its current capacity. This is made possible through the construction of a large, modern facility behind the current museum. During the construction, the museum's collections are on display at the Oosterdokskade near the Central Station. Because of climatic conditions, however, works of Picasso, Chagall and others will not be displayed. Completion of the project is set for December 2009.

Visit the Stedelijk Museum website