Van Abbemuseum

The Van Abbemuseum is one of the most important museums for modern and contemporary art in Europe. It was founded in 1936 by local art lover, philantropist and cigar manufacturer Henri van Abbe. Over the years the museum has amassed a vast and valuable collection of roughly 2,700 works of art, only some of which are on display. The museum features works by Picasso, Chagall, Kandisnky, El Lissitzky, Theo van Doesburg, Mondriaan and Appel, among others. You can view video art, paintings, sculptures and drawings. Exhibitions change quite often, so check its website for the latest news.

The museum building is just as special as the collection. The old original building was designed by Alexander Kropholler, is a national monument and contains a central exhibition space surrounded by rooms-en-suite. These rooms have closed walls and chamfered corners. Illumination is provided by skylights: the brightness is adjustable with adjustable blades. Typical of this traditional architecture are the closed brick facades, the symmetry and monumental elements such as the tower and the stairway with sculptures. The museum building has been restored and expanded with three times as much exhibition space and facilities. The new exhibition spaces are housed in an expressive building block of five floors, two of which are underground, topped by a high tower with sloping facades. The extension is bordered on three sides by the water of the Dommel. The tower contains a system of stairs and landings that, like a ‘museum within the museum’, invite artists to create special furnishings. The renovation and expansion of the museum were designed by Abel Cahen.

In addition to the museum itself, the Van Abbemuseum also contains an impressive library and the Karel 1 museum café.

Address: Stratumsedijk 2, 5611 ND Eindhoven