Witsenhuis
Historic studio house of the painter Willem Witsen on the Oosterpark, with the original Witsenkamer preserved intact, open to visit by written request only.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The house on the Oosterpark was built in 1884/85 by the property developer Marinus Leembruggen to plans by Eduard Cuypers. The ground floor was intended as a sculptor's studio, which explains the unusually tall windows facing the street; when the sculptor withdrew, the owner had the tall studio converted into two floors for painters in 1886. The first tenants were George Breitner and Isaac Israëls.
Willem Witsen (1860–1923), painter, etcher, art critic and photographer, moved into Breitner's studio on the first floor in 1891 and, after an interruption, lived in the house from 1904 until his death. It became famous for his hospitality toward fellow artists and the literary "Tachtigers"; in 1892 the French poet Paul Verlaine stayed with him, in the room that is now called the Verlainekamer. The former studio space on the first floor later served as a salon and has remained almost unchanged since 1907.
Witsen's widow Marie Witsen-Schorr bequeathed the house to the Dutch state in 1943, on condition that the furnishings of the first floor be preserved and the remaining rooms be made available rent-free to writers. To this day, young writers live in three apartments for up to five years each. A management committee of the Witsenfonds maintains the house with volunteers and organizes the tours of the Witsenkamer and Verlainekamer.
Highlights
- Original, perfectly preserved salon of the painter Willem Witsen (Witsenkamer) on the first floor
- Verlainekamer, where the poet Paul Verlaine stayed in 1892
- House of the Tachtigers: meeting place of painters and writers around 1900
- House with three apartments that are let free of charge to writers
- Tours in small groups of up to six people
Permanent exhibition
- Witsenkamer und Verlainekamer – The painter's original salon, preserved intact, with furniture, Chinese porcelain, carpets and books belonging to Witsen, as well as the guest room where Paul Verlaine stayed in 1892.
- Operated by
- Commissie van Beheer van het Witsenfonds
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits only as part of a pre-booked tour led by volunteers (maximum six people). |
