Museum Paul Tétar van Elven

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The painter Paul Tétar van Elven (1823–1896) came to Delft in 1864 as a drawing teacher at the Polytechnic School, today's TU Delft, and that same year bought the stately house on the Koornmarkt. It dates back to the 16th century, built shortly after the great city fire of 1536, and had been modernized around 1800. Tétar made few changes to the building itself but furnished the rooms in the taste of his time; he had the salon ceiling painted with the names of the old masters he admired.

In his will the childless artist stipulated that the house and its contents should be shown as a museum after his death. His second wife, Mechelina van Duuren, made sure this wish was carried out: in 1926 the Stichting Museum Paul Tetar van Elven was established, and in 1927 the house opened to visitors. Around 1930 the floor plan was adapted for museum use.

What survives is a rare 19th-century artist's ensemble: the lavishly furnished living rooms with family portraits, the studio with painting tools, weapons and a large history painting, the library, and cabinets full of Delft faience and East Asian porcelain. Particularly notable are Tétar's oil copies of old masters such as Raphael's Sistine Madonna. The museum is run by about 50 volunteers and regularly presents small temporary exhibitions on 19th-century art.

Highlights

• Authentically furnished 19th-century artist's house
• Studio with painting tools and a large history painting on Oldenbarnevelt
• Salon ceiling bearing the names of old masters
• Tétar's oil copies after Raphael, Rembrandt and others
• Delft faience and Chinese and Japanese porcelain
• 16th-century spiral staircase with tiles depicting children's games

Permanent exhibitions

• Het kunstenaarshuis – A tour through the salon, dining room, studio and library with Tétar's furniture, paintings, copies of old masters and porcelain collection; an open storage area in the attic.

Founded

1927

Operated by

Stichting Museum Paul Tetar van Elven

Director

Alexandra Oostdijk

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart; also free with the Delftpas, the Rotterdampas and for Friends of the museum. Payment at the ticket desk by debit or credit card (with PIN).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only the first floor (hall and three rooms) is wheelchair-accessible; a ramp for the entrance step is available on request. No elevator, narrow doors and corridors, attic accessible only via a steep staircase. Restroom on the first floor is reachable but too small for wheelchairs. Tactile map with relief and Braille at the ticket desk; as part of the "Onbeperkt" project, free multisensory tours for blind and visually impaired visitors on the last Monday of the month, as well as programs for people with memory or hearing impairments.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

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

Regular children's workshops in the attic (€5 per child) and search games for the exhibitions; children up to 18 are admitted free.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Small museum shop staffed by volunteers; coat check up a short flight of stairs.

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit