Anton Pieck Museum

About the museum

Anton Pieck is best known as the designer of the Fairytale Forest at the Efteling, for his calendar pages and as a book illustrator. Less well known is that he also mastered many graphic techniques and developed into a versatile and extremely prolific artist. The Anton Pieck Museum aims to show who Pieck was and why his work is part of Dutch cultural heritage.

Plans for a museum of his own gained momentum after a large retrospective in Laren in 1980 that drew a great many visitors. Pieck himself was initially reserved about the idea and set one condition: the museum should not be near his home in Overveen, so that no coaches full of curious visitors would drive past his house. The municipality of Hattem was enthusiastic and, together with the initiators, found a location in a building behind the Voerman Museum. This created a museum complex in Hattem made up of two town houses built side by side, partly interconnected inside – two museums under one roof, but with their own boards. The Anton Pieck Museum was opened on 6 September 1984 by Anton Pieck in person, in the presence of Princess Margriet.

Today the museum says it holds the largest collection of Pieck originals. The permanent exhibition includes the artist's authentic work corner, oil paintings, calendar pages, prints, sketches and travel drawings; it is rearranged every year during the winter break. On the ground floor stands Pieck's original etching press, on which etching workshops are still held. About 40 volunteers keep the museum running.

Highlights

• Re-created work corner of Anton Pieck with bookcase and drawing materials
• Pieck's original etching press on the ground floor
• Calendar pages, oil paintings, etchings and travel drawings
• Largest collection of the artist's originals
• Etching workshops on the historic press

Permanent exhibition

• Im Atelier von Anton Pieck (Dauerausstellung) – The artist's authentic work corner, well-known illustrations and artworks in the “Pieck style”, and his original etching press; the display is rearranged every year from the storage collection.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Stichting Anton Pieck Museum

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart (also in the two other museums in Hattem). VriendenLoterij VIP-Kaart, BankGiro Loterij VIP-Kaart and other promotional passes are not accepted. Tickets are available at the desk or online; an e-ticket is valid for a specific day.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A lift connects the basement, ground floor and upper floor; an accessible toilet is on the ground floor. Because of the historic construction, some passageways are narrow. Wheelchairs and rollators are allowed, mobility scooters only if they fit through; please register wheelchair groups in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

For children there is a treasure hunt through the museum that they can do alone or with their parents. At a large drawing table, visitors can draw characters themselves; depending on the exhibition, there are dressing-up and photo stations.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A28 (Hattemerbroek interchange, towards Apeldoorn) or the A50, in each case exit 30 “Hattem”.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Museum shop with cards, calendars, reproductions and Pieck books, plus an online boutique. Coats go in the cloakroom; tripods, walking sticks and umbrellas must stay there, and backpacks and bags larger than A3 are left at the counter.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit