Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum is Amsterdam's museum of modern and contemporary art and design, and it stands on the Museumplein, close to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. The name means the municipal museum, as it began as a collection owned by the city, and it moved into its present building in the 1890s. That building, in a neo-Renaissance style by the architect A.W. Weissman, has been joined in recent years by a very different extension, a large white structure with a smooth, curved shape that people commonly call the bathtub. Together the two give the museum a distinctive appearance and a mix of historic and modern interiors.

The collection covers the art of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries in depth. It includes major works by the Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, among them paintings of the avant-garde period, as well as Piet Mondrian and the artists of the De Stijl movement, whose clean lines and primary colours changed design across the world. The museum also holds works by Kandinsky, Cobra artists such as Karel Appel, American pop artists including Andy Warhol, and many others. Because the museum is also interested in applied arts, it has a large collection of design, with furniture, posters, ceramics and graphic works, including pieces by Gerrit Rietveld. The permanent collection is shown in rotating selections, so the display changes from visit to visit.

Temporary exhibitions are an important part of the programme and often draw large crowds. They can be devoted to a single artist, a theme or a movement, and the museum is known for bold and sometimes controversial choices. Large exhibitions may need a separate ticket and a reservation, so it is wise to check the programme in advance. The museum shop and cafes are open to visitors without a ticket, which makes it easy to enjoy a coffee and look around the foyer.

Practical planning helps. Booking a time slot online avoids queues, and museum card holders usually also need to reserve. Bags may need to be stored in lockers, and large backpacks are generally not allowed in the galleries. Visitors with mobility needs will find the museum accessible, and information is available in several languages.

The museum suits art lovers, design fans and anyone interested in the story of modern art. Allow two to three hours. It sits among the other museums of the Museumplein, so a day can combine several. Check opening hours and ticket prices before going.