Safeguarding Dutch photographic heritage
The National Museum of Photography safeguards the Dutch photographic heritage and makes it accessible to the public. In our new home in the Santos building, we will house our Collection of over 6.5 million photographic objects.
The National Museum of Photography is the most important centre for the display, conservation, collection and study of photography from the Netherlands. Our museum places photography in a contemporary context. We collect and exhibit photography that reflects the world. The museum is in Rotterdam - the country’s second largest city.
Influential photographers
Ed van der Elsken, Aart Klein, and Cas Oorthuys are just a few examples of influential photographers from the 19th and 20th centuries, whose complete archives the museum manages. Work by contemporary photographers such as Bertien van Manen, Vincent Mentzel, Hans van der Meer, Viviane Sassen, and Mieke Van de Voort is also represented in the Collection. The museum provides a comprehensive overview for the world of Dutch photography of all periods. We work across all areas of photography - including collecting, scholarship, conservation and restoration, exhibitions and education.
Santos – new home, new possibilities
Our new home in the landmark Santos building includes extensive exhibition spaces, a photography bookshop and library, a darkroom for professional and amateur photographers. Glass windows will allow visitors to observe the Collection and studio spaces, with specialists working behind the scenes in areas such as restoration and conservation. There will be a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the Rotterdam skyline.
Gallery of Honour
Our Gallery of Honour of Dutch Photography features 99 distinctive photographs chosen for their social and artistic impact. Each photograph is a masterwork. The Gallery can be categorized in the following themes: cityscapes, our colonial past, war, photography as a subject, arts, social / political, portraits and zeitgeist.
You will see masterpieces by Anton Corbijn, Dana Lixenberg, Violette Cornelius, Paul Huf, Rineke Dijkstra and Erwin Olaf. The 100th work on display is chosen by visitors on a rotating basis.
Exhibitions
In addition to the Gallery of Honour, there are temporary exhibitions. We often draw from our Collection for these exhibitions. All exhibitions focus on photography from the Netherlands or Dutch photographers in their world travels.