125 Year Kees Verwey – Strokes of a Master
This year we celebrate the 125th birthday of Kees Verwey, one of the most remarkable painters in Dutch art history. As a tribute to this master we organize a unique series of four exhibitions under the umbrella title: 125 years Kees Verwey - Tricks of a Master.
In this special series we shed a multifaceted light on Verwey's life and work. From the travels that this notorious stay-at-home made, to his iconic studio and his deep bond with his wife and muse Jeanne Tilbusscher. One of the highlights is an exhibition with works by his contemporaries and great sources of inspiration such as George Hendrik Breitner, Jan Toorop and Isaac Israels.
The Verwey year has started with his magnificent watercolours, made during his travels. Step by step the entire museum – with the exception of the historical exhibition All Haarlemmers – filled with art and stories about Verwey's life. This unique journey of discovery offers a great opportunity to get to know and appreciate the painter again.
Festive opening in May
When all the halls are filled in May, we invite you to a grand public opening during the Ascension weekend. During this festive event we celebrate the rich legacy of Kees Verwey.
Exhibitions
- Watercolors – Verwey on Tour
January 20 to March 30, 2025
Watercolors – Verwey on Tour shows rarely shown private watercolors that the master made during his travels to Italy, France and England, among others. Click here for more information
- Studio in Pictures – Kees Verwey, Nico Koster, Hans de Bruijn
April 17, 2025 to January 4, 2026
This exhibition places the studio at the heart of the artist's life. Visitors are given a unique insight into Verwey's iconic workspace. A selection of paintings in which Verwey immortalized his own studio are presented here, together with photographs taken of this studio by photographer Nico Koster. This combination offers an intimate view of the place where Verwey's art came to life. In addition, portraits of contemporary artists in their studios are shown, made by Hans de Bruijn for his book 90 Artist PortraitsThis creates an inspiring dialogue between Verwey's historical studio and the studios of today.
- Jeanne Verwey-Tilbusscher – More than a Muse
May 12 to October 26, 2025
The portraits of Jeanne Tilbusscher, Kees Verwey's wife, are central here, together with her own embroideries and drawings. Tilbusscher, who was a needlework teacher at the Haarlemschool on the Voorhelmstraat, is honored with an intimate presentation of her handiwork. This exhibition not only highlights Verwey's deep admiration for her craftsmanship, but also the special artistic bond that connected them.
- Verwey and his Inspiration
May 28 to November 9, 2025
This exhibition focuses on the work of Kees Verwey and that of the contemporaries who inspired him. These influential artists include names such as George Breitner, Isaac Israels, Corneille, Leo Gestel, Jan and Charley Toorop, Willem Witsen, Floris Verster, Henri Boot, Karel Appel, Eugène Brands and Jan Sluijters. For the first time, the museum is bringing together the work of all these masters in one impressive exhibition. In addition, Verwey's special portrait drawings of Antony Kok, from the Rijksmuseum, are being presented in our museum for the first time.