Museum Van Loon
The Museum Van Loon is a small, private museum in the center of Amsterdam. It is housed in one of the city’s most iconic buildings, and its collection focuses on the history of the Dutch Golden Age.
The museum collection includes paintings, furniture, silverware, and a lot of object from the Dutch Golden Age. The museum also has a library with over 25,000 books and manuscripts about Dutch history and culture. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on a variety of topics related to Dutch history and culture.
Some of the highlights of the Museum Van Loon’s collection include paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Jan Steen; Delftware pottery; and furniture from the Dutch Golden Age. The museum also has a garden with views of the canals, which is particularly lovely in springtime.
The museum is a 3-storey museum and the staircase decorations you see when you enter are quite remarkable. The Garden Room has a beautiful view of the garden. The Red Drawing Room, with many Van Loon family portraits, was a place where the men of the house would relax after dinner.
The Blue Drawing Room was mostly used in Amsterdam by Thora van Loon, a bridesmaid to the former Dutch Queen Wilhelmina. The impressive 18th century style Dining Room can accommodate up to 24 guests with its long table setting.
The upstairs rooms were used as bedrooms. The Drakensteyn Room has painted wall hangings that create a continuous scene around the room. The paintings were purchased from Drakenseyn Castle (Princess Beatrix’s residence) in the 1960s. Upstairs is also the Red Bedroom, decorated with exotic birds. In the basement is a spectacular kitchen with over 10 of the family’s servants.
Where is Museum Van Loon and how to get there?
The Museum Van Loon is located in the heart of Amsterdam, on Keizersgracht 672. To get there by public transport, take tram 16 or 24 to Keizersgracht or bus 21 to Leidsestraat. The nearest train station is Amsterdam Central, from where you can also take tram 16 or 24. If you have I Amsterdam City Card, the museum is free.
If you are ever in Amsterdam, you should visit the Van Loon Museum. It’s a beautiful building with an interesting history and houses some really great artwork.