UNTIL 30 March 2025 | Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has extended its popular exhibition ‘Lievelingen’ until March 2025. The exhibition, hosted at the Depot, allows the public to enjoy a variety of masterpieces selected by visitors themselves.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam is currently showcasing Lievelingen, an exhibition that offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore 80 beloved works from the museum’s vast collection. Running until 30 March 2025 at the museum’s Depot, this collection provides insight into the museum’s history of painting and sculpture. What sets this exhibition apart is the fact that the selection was guided by public input, making it a reflection of popular favourites.
Lievelingen XL: large-scale artworks
In addition to the main exhibition, Lievelingen XL presents 14 large-format works. This selection, on view until 24 November 2024, includes significant pieces such as Mark Rothko’s Grey, Orange on Maroon, No 8 and Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room – Phalli’s Field (Floor Show). The immersive experience of these oversized works brings contemporary art to life for visitors in a particularly engaging way.
Celebrating the museum’s 175th anniversary
Lievelingen forms part of Boijmans Van Beuningen’s 175th anniversary celebration. Although the museum’s main building has been undergoing renovation for over five years, 70 key paintings from its collection are still on display at the Depot. Highlights include Jacob van Ruisdael’s Het korenveld, a significant acquisition from the museum’s early years, and Pieter Bruegel’s De toren van Babel, which was added to the collection in 1958.
In addition to these, other significant acquisitions over the years include Rembrandt’s Titus aan de lezenaar and René Magritte’s La reproduction interdite. Both of these works have remained consistently popular with visitors and play an important role in the museum’s collection.
Design, prints, and other works on display
Boijmans Van Beuningen’s collection extends beyond paintings. The Depot’s atrium showcases pieces from the museum’s design and decorative arts collection, while its works on paper, including prints and photographs, can be viewed upon request. Due to their fragile nature, these works are stored in a special viewing area. Visitors can also access the museum’s collection of film and video works in a dedicated space, offering an intriguing look into moving image art.
An innovative display approach
Unlike traditional exhibitions, Lievelingen employs ‘glass easels’ designed by architect Lina Bo Bardi, allowing viewers to see both the front and back of each painting. The reverse side of many works reveals important historical details, including old labels and seals, shedding light on previous owners and past exhibitions. This design choice offers a unique glimpse into the stories behind each piece.
New public favourites join Lievelingen
The Lievelingen exhibition, which has been running since early 2024, was recently refreshed with new pieces in October. Among the latest additions are Bertha Wegmann’s Bosvarens and Henriette Ronner-Knip’s Spelende katjes, a work that has quickly become a visitor favourite. This reflects the exhibition’s dynamic nature, as it continues to evolve in response to public interest.
Wegmann’s Bosvarens, acquired this year at TEFAF Maastricht, invites viewers to explore its subtle details, including a hat nestled among ferns, adding an air of mystery to the painting. Meanwhile, Ronner-Knip’s Spelende katjes has charmed visitors with its depiction of kittens in an elegant interior, a theme for which the artist was widely celebrated.
Directions to the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
The exhibition is held at the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, located in Rotterdam’s Museumpark. The area is accessible by public transport, including tram and metro connections. The Depot is situated within walking distance from Rotterdam Centraal Station, making it an easy destination for both local and international visitors.
