The Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum has an impressive collection of more than 140,000 works. See paintings by Rembrandt and Bosch, muse over surrealist art by Ray and Dalí and step out into the sculpture garden to see Oldenburg’s famous pop art sculpture Bent Screw.
The Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum was formed after a local lawyer donated his art collection to the city in 1849. The museum is now home to an amazing variety of artworks, spanning more than 800 years.
Spend some time marveling at the extensive collection of masters on display. Highlights include the exquisite Tower of Babel by Brueghel the Elder, The Marriage Feast at Cana by Bosch and Rembrandt’s Portrait of Titus. Be sure to study the collection of Italian Renaissance works too. Look out for The Wise and Foolish Virgins by Tintoretto and a couple of fine 16th-century paintings by Titian. If you are keen to see a particular piece, check the museum website first to ensure it is hanging, as some pieces may be on loan or in storage.
For something a little more modern, head to the room devoted to surrealists. Here, works by artists such as Man Ray, Dalí and Duchamp will take you on a strange but enthralling ride into the world of surrealist art.
After examining the paintings, step outside to explore the magnificent sculpture garden, where there is a large collection of ancient marble figures and lavish fountains. Don’t miss the garden’s highlight, Claes Oldenburg’s large Bent Screw sculpture.
Reflect on the artwork you have seen while you sip a coffee at the museum’s espresso bar or stop for lunch at the museum’s restaurant.
The Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum is located in Museumpark in central Rotterdam. Combine a trip here with a visit to the nearby Kunsthal or the Natural History Museum. Transport links are excellent and there is a large underground car park at the museum. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and there is a small admission fee.
