Pier Pander Museum

About the museum

Pier Pander was born in 1864 in Drachten on his parents' boat and was one of the best-known Dutch sculptors around 1900. At the age of 21 he won the Prix de Rome and afterwards lived mainly in Rome. Despite a serious illness he received many portrait commissions, including from members of the royal family; his likeness of Queen Wilhelmina adorned the guilder. He died of tuberculosis in 1919.

Pander bequeathed his studio holdings to the city of Leeuwarden. In 1924 his life's work, a group of five large marble figures, was unveiled in the Pier Pander Temple. The museum followed in 1954, the first in the Netherlands devoted to a single artist.

In the 1970s interest faded and both buildings closed. Around 2000 the entire collection was restored, followed by the museum and temple in 2005 and 2006. Since 2006 the Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden has looked after both sites; in 2007 they reopened to visitors with the Pier Pander Manifestation. For the 100th anniversary of his death in 2019 the museum was completely refurbished. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there is a changing exhibition every summer.

Highlights

• Marble group of five figures in the Pier Pander Temple
• The sculptor's studio holdings with plaster figures such as “Psyche”, “Kracht” and “Gevoel”
• First Dutch museum devoted to a single artist (1954)
• Portrait of Queen Wilhelmina, which served as the motif on the guilder
• Newly arranged permanent exhibition since 2019

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung Pier Pander – The life and work of the sculptor, told through his studio holdings; the exhibition was redesigned in 2019 for the 100th anniversary of his death.
• Pier Pandertempel – The temple houses Pander's life's work, a group of five large marble figures.

Founded

1954

Operated by

Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden

Admission & discounts

The admission price applies to the museum; on special occasions (e.g. Pander's birthday on 20 June) admission may be free.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the Prinsentuin; the temple stands about 300 m away in the Noorderplantage.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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