Museum Henriette Polak

About the museum

The patron Henriette Polak-Schwarz (1893–1974), together with the artist Joop Sjollema, laid the foundation for the museum. Her foundation assembled a collection of modern-classical Dutch art, which was initially housed temporarily in the Rosa Spier Huis in Laren. Later she acquired in Zutphen the manor house De Wildeman on the Zaadmarkt as well as a medieval warehouse on the Rode Torenstraat. Polak died in April 1974 and did not live to see the opening; in 1975 ownership of the buildings and the collection passed to the city of Zutphen, and the museum opened in the same year.

In 2017 the museum moved to the Hof van Heeckeren on the 's Gravenhof, a listed palace in the city centre. There it shares the building with the Stedelijk Museum Zutphen; the two museums are operated jointly under the name Musea Zutphen, but keep their own collections and their own tickets.

The collection concentrates on figurative art that values craftsmanship, including works by Kees Verwey, Willem den Ouden, Joop Sjollema and the sculptor Piet Esser. The collection is also accessible online via Collectie Gelderland.

Highlights

• Modern-classical painting and sculpture from the Netherlands
• Works by Kees Verwey, Willem den Ouden, Joop Sjollema and Piet Esser
• Housed in the listed Hof van Heeckeren
• Combined ticket with the Stedelijk Museum Zutphen in the same building

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlung Museum Henriette Polak – Figurative painting and sculpture of the modern era with a focus on craftsmanship and artistic stance.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Stichting Musea Zutphen

Admission & discounts

Single tickets for each of the two museums; combined ticket for both. Free with Museumkaart, ICOM card, Rembrandtkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP card and for Friends of the Musea Zutphen. Tickets online via tickets.museazutphen.nl.

Accessibility

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

The building is wheelchair accessible with lifts and adapted toilets. The wheelchair entrance is the green door of the right-hand white house next to the Schelpenpoort. Only a few wheelchairs are available for loan (reserve at least 2 days in advance). "Museum-maatjes" (museum buddies) personally accompany visitors with disabilities on request.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Visitor address 's Gravenhof 4; the entrance is at the Schelpenpoort.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museum café with terrace and bookshop, where the Museumkaart is also available.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Auditorium available for rent; enquiries via Musea Zutphen.

Plan your visit