ROTTERDAM, 15 January 2025 – A newly discovered painting by August Willem van Voorden has been added to Museum Rotterdam's collection, depicting early tourism in the city. The painting provides a unique view of the bustling Oosterkade and the emerging role of Fop Smit & Co in Rotterdam’s history.
Photo above: Rotterdam City Archives: Oosterkade viewed from the north, 1909. A Fop Smit ferry can be seen docked on the Nieuwe Maas River in the background. The far left and right edges of the image have been altered to fill an 1.91:1 aspect ratio.
Museum Rotterdam acquires newly discovered Van Voorden painting
Museum Rotterdam has announced the acquisition of a painting by August Willem van Voorden, a notable Rotterdam artist active in the early 20th century. Created around 1910, the oil-on-canvas work (80 x 65 cm) provides a vivid portrayal of life on Rotterdam’s Oosterkade, capturing a pivotal moment in the city’s history when tourism was beginning to take shape.
The painting illustrates a lively scene at the Oosterkade. In the foreground, three stylishly dressed women are seen, one engrossed in a red Baedeker travel guide—a popular choice for tourists of that era. A luxury red cabriolet with its chauffeur stands nearby, while activity along the quay is marked by a ship and its workers. A prominent feature in the painting is the building of Fop Smit & Co, a Rotterdam-based steamship company that operated ferry services and leisure trips from 1877 to 1949. The background includes the spires of the original Willemsbrug and the distant shoreline of Noordereiland, all under a cloudy sky.
Museum Rotterdam Collection: Three women at the Oosterkade in Rotterdam, near Fop Smit & Co, painted by August Willem van Voorden, circa 1910. Photo: Lotte Stekelenburg.
Historical significance
Fop Smit & Co, depicted prominently in the painting, played an essential role in the development of regional tourism. The company’s steamship tours symbolised the height of the steam era and form part of the Canon of Zuid-Holland. The painting offers a rare glimpse into this period, with the inclusion of tourists in the foreground making it especially noteworthy. Typically, figures in cityscapes from this era are depicted in the background.
August Willem van Voorden: the ‘Rotterdam Breitner’
Van Voorden, born in Rotterdam in 1881, is often referred to as the ‘Rotterdam Breitner’ due to his impressionistic depictions of the city’s streets and harbours. His work is characterised by its atmospheric tones and rich detail, often reflecting the earthy palette of 19th-century Hague School painters. However, this newly discovered work marks a departure from his usual style, with its vibrant colours and lighter tones, offering a more dynamic and modern impression of Rotterdam during this period.
Van Voorden passed away in 1921, leaving behind a relatively small oeuvre. His work remains celebrated for its historical insight into early 20th-century Rotterdam.
The discovery
This painting was unknown until recently, having not been featured in the 2006 Van Voorden exhibition at Het Schielandshuis or its accompanying publication. The discovery of this piece adds significant historical and artistic value to Museum Rotterdam’s growing collection of cityscapes.
Rotterdam City Archives: Postcard from 1910 showing the landing stage at the Oosterkade, viewed from the east.
Rotterdam City Archives: Fop Smit & Co. Rotterdam. Winter service schedule for November-December 1908 and January-February 1909.
Museum Rotterdam’s future plans
Currently, Museum Rotterdam operates its '40-'45 NU' location at Coolhaven, focusing on the city’s experiences during the Second World War. Alongside this, the museum continues to engage with the community through educational programmes, walking tours, and loaning items from its collection. Plans for a new city museum, in collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam, are underway. This initiative aims to create a permanent space for preserving and celebrating Rotterdam’s rich heritage.