Collectie Six
Lived-in family collection of the Amsterdam Six family on the Amstel, with works by Rembrandt and Frans Hals – free guided tours by request only.
About the museum
The Collectie Six is not a collection assembled for a museum but family property that has grown over more than ten generations. Artworks, furniture, silver, books and mementos of the Six family and related families such as Tulp, Hop, Van Winter and Teding van Berkhout were inherited, added to and passed on. The best-known piece is the Portrait of Jan Six, which Rembrandt painted of his friend and patron in 1654.
According to the family, it has been receiving interested guests since the 17th century; a guest book has been kept since 1809 and now runs to 25 volumes. To prevent the family portraits from being dispersed, art historian Jan Six (1857–1926) placed the holdings in a foundation in 1922. Today the collection is divided among several nonprofit foundations; since the mid-1950s the Dutch state has contributed to its upkeep, on condition that the holdings remain together and are accessible on request.
Since 1915 the collection has been housed in a residence on the Amstel, which the family acquired at the time in exchange for its house on the Herengracht and still lives in today. Alongside paintings by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Paulus Potter, Pieter Saenredam, Jacob van Ruisdael, Gerard ter Borch, Govaert Flinck and Nicolaes Maes, the house displays portraits, drawings, furniture and family heirlooms. The holdings also include a family archive of around 450,000 documents, which can be searched online in digitized form.
The house can be visited only on free guided tours, given by art history students to small groups on weekday mornings.
Highlights
- Rembrandt’s Portrait of Jan Six (1654) in the family’s home
- Paintings by Frans Hals, Paulus Potter, Saenredam, Jacob van Ruisdael and Gerard ter Borch
- Still-inhabited residence on the Amstel as the setting for the collection
- Tulip book of Nicolaes Tulp (1634) with watercolors by Jacob Marrel
- Guest book kept since 1809, in 25 volumes
- Family archive of around 450,000 documents, accessible digitally
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Children & teens | –Minimum age 10 |
|---|---|
| Groups | –Maximum of four people per request; larger groups should inquire via the contact form |
The visit and guided tour are free of charge. Commercial operators are asked not to include the collection in their programs.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 10+
The house only admits visitors aged 10 and over; there are no children’s activities.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Amenities & dining
- Coat check
Handbags of any size must be left at the cloakroom; suitcases, large backpacks and pets are not allowed in the house. Publications on the collection and the family (including an edition of the Tulpboek) in the nonprofit online shop; pickup possible at Amstel 218, Mon–Thu 9:00–17:00.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography and filming not permitted |
| Good to know | Visits only with a guided tour by art history students (about one hour, in Dutch or English; request English tours via the English website). Maximum of four visitors per request. |
