Museum Bredius

About the museum

Abraham Bredius (1855–1946) was a collector, archival researcher and patron of the arts who directed the Mauritshuis for twenty years from 1889, adding numerous masterpieces to its holdings. His research on Rembrandt and Jan Steen set new standards; his catalogue of Rembrandt's paintings was published in 1935.

In 1922 Bredius sold his home at Prinsegracht 6 to the city of Den Haag on the condition that the private collection displayed there remain open to the public – and so the Museum Bredius was founded. On his death he bequeathed the collection to the city, while the works he had on loan went to the Rijksmuseum and the Mauritshuis.

Faced with declining visitor numbers, the city closed the museum in 1984. Art lovers in Den Haag then founded the Bredius Genootschap, which has looked after the collection on the city's behalf ever since. In 1990 the museum reopened in the 18th-century city mansion at Lange Vijverberg 14, across the Hofvijver from the Mauritshuis; since 1994 the building has been let to the museum for a symbolic rent.

On display are around 200 paintings and drawings from the 17th century, complemented by porcelain, silver and crystal. In 2022 an oil sketch of the Raising of the Cross in the collection was newly attributed to Rembrandt.

Highlights

• Oil sketch "Raising of the Cross," attributed to Rembrandt in 2022
• Head of Christ from Rembrandt's circle
• Works by Jan Steen, Aert van der Neer and Meindert Hobbema
• The only perspective box in the Netherlands
• The only work by Matthias Stomer in the Netherlands
• Porcelain, silver and crystal in an 18th-century city mansion

Permanent exhibitions

• Sammlung Abraham Bredius – Seventeenth-century paintings and drawings from Bredius's private collection, presented alongside porcelain, silver and crystal in the rooms of a Den Haag city mansion.

Founded

1922

Operated by

Stichting Museum Bredius (im Auftrag der Gemeente Den Haag)

Director

Willem Jan Hoogsteder (Kurator) und Thomas Donner (Geschäftsführung)

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart, as well as with the Rembrandtpas and ICOM. Prices valid since March 9, 2026. Guided tour €75 plus admission.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children explore the collection with the "KijkWijzer" or a scavenger hunt; workshops during the De Betovering children's festival, plus a downloadable craft sheet for building your own perspective box. School projects as part of Den Haag's Cultuurmenu.

Getting there & parking

On the Hofvijver, across from the Mauritshuis in central Den Haag.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit