Teylers Museum curates a large collection of works of art. Since the start, the museum has collected drawings and prints by internationally esteemed European artists. In addition, it has steadily acquired ‘living art’ by contemporary makers. The collection of 19th-century paintings, then, literally expresses the tastes of its age. Over the centuries, Pieter Teyler’s collection of coins, medals and medallions has grown into one of the finest numismatic collections in the Netherlands.
Old Masters
The ‘Old Masters’ at Teylers Museum are artists who were granted the title ‘master’ in the painters’ guild between 1500 and 1800. Drawings and prints by Old Masters have been collected here for years, as a source of inspiration and as study material for contemporary artists, experts and art lovers. The core of the collection consists of highlights by artists from the Netherlands, including Rembrandt van Rijn, Hendrick Goltzius and Maria Sibylla Merian. Famous foreign artists include Michelangelo, Raphael and Lorrain.
Hendrick Goltzius, Goltzius' Right Hand, 1588.
Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn, Self-portrait in a cap, wide-eyed, 1639.
Drawings from 1500 to the Present
In 1790, the Teylers Foundation succeeded in purchasing a large collection of Italian, Dutch and French drawings from an aristocratic Roman family. With this, Teylers Museum suddenly owned a world-class art collection. The Old Masters serve as examples for contemporary makers, whose work the museum acquired from the beginning to encourage ‘living art’. The collection now comprises more than 10,000 drawings, from Michelangelo to Marlene Dumas and from Rembrandt to René Daniëls.
Paintings
During the course of the 19th century, European painting experienced a period of flourishing. Besides contemporary drawings, Teylers Museum began to acquire oil paintings. Many canvases went straight from the studio to one of our atmospheric picture galleries. The collection is still on display there in the style of the 19th century. You will find renowned names like George Hendrik Breitner, Isaac Israëls and Coba Ritsema here. Paintings were frequently added, such as Jacobus van Looy’s masterpiece De tuin (the garden, 1893).
Jacobus van Looy, The garden, 1893.
Purchased with the support of the VriendenLoterij, Stichting Roodenburg van Looy and Teylers Museum Fonds (Boting bequest), 2013.
Natasja Kensmil (1973), Metamorphosis, 2013.
Contemporary Art
Since its opening, Teylers Museum has collected, discussed, copied and created contemporary art. This is consistent with Pieter Teyler’s ideal of encouraging ‘living art’ and supporting contemporary artists. The museum is advancing this long-standing tradition with exhibitions, artists-in-residence and the acquisition of drawings by today’s artists, Natasja Kensmil and Renie Spoelstra among them.
Coins, medals and medallions
With his own collection of more than 2,000 coins, medals and medallions from the Netherlands, Pieter Teyler established the foundation for the museum’s numismatic collection. Starting at the end of the 19th century, the collection expanded significantly: the curators of the museum attempted to achieve a ‘complete’ collection of Dutch numismatic art. The high-quality collection, which is still growing, contains pieces unique in the world.
Vrede van Breda tussen de Verenigde Nederlanden en Engeland - einde van de Tweede Engels-Nederlandse Oorlog (1665-1667). Adolphi (Adolfszoon), Christoffel (±1631-1684)
Collectie 1778-04-08, Pieter Teyler van der Hulst
