Museum Van Loon

About the museum

The town mansion on the Keizersgracht was designed by the architect Adriaen Dortsman and completed in 1672. Its first resident was the painter Ferdinand Bol, a pupil of Rembrandt. The property includes a large garden in 17th-century style and a coach house, also designed by Dortsman, into which carriages once drove from the Kerkstraat.

The Van Loon family came from Loon op Zand in Brabant and belonged to the Amsterdam elite from the 17th century onward: Willem van Loon was one of the founders of the VOC (Dutch East India Company) in 1602, and his descendants sat on its board, became mayors, or were involved in colonial trade as bewindhebber (director) of the WIC and director of the Sociëteit van Suriname. In 1884 Jonkheer Hendrik van Loon gave the house to his son Willem Hendrik as a wedding present; he lived here with his wife Thora Egidius, later lady-in-waiting to Queen Wilhelmina, their two children, and staff.

In 1973 Maurits van Loon opened the house to the public. On display are family portraits spanning five centuries, furniture, silver, and porcelain, as well as the kitchen, service rooms, and staff clothing. The coach house remained in the family's private ownership until 2009 and has since been reunited with the museum. Temporary exhibitions and art projects build on the collection and family history and also address the colonial legacy, for example “Aan de Surinaamse grachten” (2019).

Highlights

• Salons such as the Blue and Red Salons, the Vogelkamer, and the Schaapjeskamer
• Portrait gallery of the Van Loon family, with the oldest portraits dating from the early 16th century
• Garden in 17th-century style with a copper beech planted in 1884
• Coach house with the gala berline of Jonkheer Louis van Loon
• Kitchen and bijkeuken (scullery) in the basement

Permanent exhibitions

• Huis, tuin en koetshuis – Tour of the furnished rooms of the canal house, the garden, and the coach house, with family portraits, furniture, silver, and carriages of the Van Loon family.

Founded

1973

Director

Gijs Schunselaar

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart; also free with the Stadspas, I amsterdam City Card, Rembrandtpas, ICOM, and MBO card. Card payment only at the museum.

Accessibility

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

Because of many stairs, steps, and thresholds, the listed buildings are barely accessible to wheelchair users and people with limited mobility; the museum asks visitors to get in touch in advance. “Open Huis” tour for people with visual impairments (1.5 hours, with objects to touch, guide dogs welcome) by registration at 020 624 5255 or info@museumvanloon.nl; touching objects is not possible on a self-guided visit. Occasional low-stimulus evening openings.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children's guide featuring Daisy and Henk van Loon (ages 6 and up), free with the purchase of a child's ticket: tasks in the rooms explain the daily life of a family with servants in the 19th century.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available

Museum café with coffee, tea, apple pie from Patisserie Kuyt, wine, and lemonade. Online shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 90 guests.

Salons, dining room, garden, and coach house for receptions (up to 90 people, from €2,500 plus VAT and catering), dinners (up to 70 people), and weddings (official wedding venue since 2012, up to 80 people); also a photo and film location. Contact: verhuur@museumvanloon.nl.

Plan your visit