• Museum de Fundatie Zwolle outside view of classical building with modern glass like dome on top
  • Museum de Fundatie Zwolle internal view from inside the dome. Visitors looking outside
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Museum de Fundatie Zwolle

Museum de Fundatie Zwolle

Museum de Fundatie in Zwolle, Netherlands, is a distinguished art museum renowned for its striking architectural design and diverse collection of visual art. Housed in a neoclassical building dating back to 1838, originally serving as the Palace of Justice, the museum underwent a significant transformation in 2013. Architect Hubert-Jan Henket added an elliptical extension, affectionately known as "The Cloud," atop the original structure. This modern addition, clad in 55,000 faceted ceramic tiles, provides panoramic views of the city and houses additional exhibition spaces. Museum de Fundatie was officially founded in 1958, growing out of the private art collection of Dirk Hannema, a prominent and controversial Dutch art collector and former director of Rotterdam’s Museum Boijmans. Hannema’s passion for art, combined with his sharp eye, led him to amass a remarkable collection ranging from Old Masters to modern and contemporary works. After Hannema’s death in 1984, his collection formed the core of Museum de Fundatie’s holdings. The museum opened a public venue in Zwolle in 1991, occupying a historic 19th-century courthouse building.

Opening hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 – 17:00

How to get there

Blijmarkt 20, 8011 NE Zwolle, Netherlands

Prices from

From €17

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Museum de Fundatie – Art that connects past and future

Museum de Fundatie is a leading art museum in the city of Zwolle. It is known for its collection of fine art from the 15th century to today. The museum is housed in a neoclassical palace topped with a modern, cloud-shaped dome.

What to See

  • Paintings, sculptures, and photography from Dutch and international artists
  • Works by Van Gogh, Mondrian, Turner, and Marc Chagall
  • Modern art by Karel Appel, Neo Rauch, and others
  • Changing exhibitions on contemporary and classic art
  • Panoramic views from the rooftop “cloud” extension

Why Visit

  • See world-class art in a unique building
  • Explore new perspectives through modern and historical works
  • Perfect for art lovers and architecture fans
  • Located in Zwolle’s historic city center

The Museum

Museum de Fundatie is part of the Hannema-de Stuers Fundatie. The museum blends old and new, with a collection that includes medieval paintings and cutting-edge contemporary art. Its famous dome was added in 2013 and symbolizes openness and imagination.

Visitor Information

  • Address: Blijmarkt 20, Zwolle
  • Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 – 17:00
  • Tickets: €15.00 (adults), free for under 18
  • Free with Museumkaart
  • Facilities: Café, shop, guided tours, and rooftop views

Museum de Fundatie is ideal for visitors who want to enjoy art, architecture, and bold ideas in a striking setting.

Some Highlights of Museum de Fundatie Zwolle

Vincent van Gogh – The Mill of Blute-Fin

The painting depicts the Blute-Fin windmill, located near Nuenen, a small village in the southern Netherlands where Van Gogh lived for some time in the mid-1880s. The windmill is a classic symbol of Dutch rural life and industry.

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Piet Mondriaan – Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow

Mondriaan was so committed to his ideals that he repainted his studio walls in geometric grids with red, blue, and yellow panels—turning his entire workspace into a living Neoplasticist environment.

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Franz Marc – Blue Horse

In Blue Horse I, a bright blue horse fills the canvas, turning its head over its shoulder with a calm, contemplative expression. It stands in a vibrant, imaginative landscape made up of red, green, and yellow hills, far removed from naturalistic coloring. The background is abstract and dynamic, composed of sweeping, expressive shapes and bold areas of color that enhance the emotional atmosphere. The horse itself is rendered in a simplified, almost sculptural form that prioritizes mood and spiritual presence over anatomical accuracy or realism.

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