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Progressive art at the Cobra Museum

Bright colours, strong lines, fanciful figures: the Cobra art movement started a revolution in the European art of the 1940s. No more traditional still lifes and old landscapes; in this movement artistic freedom would prevail. It was all very controversial at the time but nowadays the works of the Corbra artists are among the classics of Dutch art. In the Cobra Museum you can admire the exciting works of top names such as Karel Appel and Corneille.

Arts & Culture

Radical art inspired by children’s drawings

A major part of the unique legacy of Cobra is featured at the Cobra Museum in Amstelveen, near Amsterdam. Birds, cats, snakes and imaginary creatures are often the subject of these playful works. Dutch painters including Karel Appel, Eugène Brands and Anton Rooskens were often inspired by children’s drawings; after all children were free and unspoilt by conventions and rules. This freedom is clearly reflected in the endearing painting Cats by Jan Nieuwenhuys, and Toy Painting by the Danish artist Asger Jorn. Cobra is now seen as a leading movement in modern Dutch and European art, but this was not always the case. Places at which the artists exhibited in the 1940s were often accosted by angry and even violent mobs who blamed them for destroying art, while a common saying was ‘My child could have done that!’. Eventually Cobra became a huge success and upon reaching this goal, the radical movement abolished itself in 1951. The influence of Cobra was unparalleled and its effects can still be seen in contemporary art today.

Questioning Children by Appel

Covered by wallpaper

Although Karel Appel became one of the most famous and successful Dutch artists, his career started slowly. The general public in the late 1940s didn’t much like his ‘scribbling and scratching’. Nevertheless, in 1949 he was asked to paint a wall in the cafeteria of Amsterdam’s City Hall. Appel created the work Questioning Children which showed hungry kids staring into space. The officials didn’t like what they saw when they were enjoying their lunch and a commotion ensued. The fresco was then covered by wallpaper for a period of ten years. The controversial painting can now be seen in all its glory in the Bridges restaurant on Ouwezijds Voorburgwal in Amsterdam.

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Active & Outdoor

Nightlife

Citytrip

Arts & Culture

Family fun

Active & Outdoor

Old towns, stunning constructions and wonderful nature: admire all of this and more in THIS IS HOLLAND, a brand-new 5D movie attraction by the producers of De Nieuwe Wildernis (The New Wilderness). It is the perfect introduction to Holland for first-time visitors, but also an interesting surprise for Dutchies who think they know their country inside out. This is a magical 5D experience with smells, colours, images, sounds, rain and shine.

Nightlife

Amsterdam has just gained another top attraction: the A’DAM Tower in trendy Amsterdam-Noord finally provides the city with a decent viewing platform. The 360-degree view, the ‘Over the Edge’ swing, a cocktail bar and a fabulous restaurant make the crossing from Amsterdam’s Central Station more than worthwhile.

Citytrip

Spending the weekend in Amsterdam? Get local and go by bike! It’s the best way to get from A to B without missing a single thing. Oh yes, this city has more to offer than the Van Gogh Museum, the flower market and coffee shops. With just a few tips, we would like to introduce you to the city that caters for all tastes with its endless list of activities and possibilities.

Arts & Culture

Innovative, visionary and imaginative: the work of the late 15th-century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch was truly groundbreaking. On display in museums around the world, his paintings still inspire countless visitors. 2016 marks the 500th anniversary of his death. There will be a series of events throughout the whole year to celebrate the life of this ingenious painter. All events will take place in ’s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch), his home town and one of the most beautiful medieval cities in the Netherlands.

Nightlife

With over 350 events, 2,200 DJs and more than 80 clubs and venues, the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is the largest electronic dance festival in the world. The most high-profile party during this 5-day long event in October is the Amsterdam Music Festival (AMF). The first edition of the AMF took place in 2013 and in less than 2 years this new festival has become a household name in the world of dance music.

Arts & Culture

Hundreds of historical ships on the water and countless activities on the quayside: SAIL Amsterdam 2015 will be one big extravaganza. This nautical event arrives in capital of the Netherlands every 5 years, and this 9th edition promises to be even more impressive and inspiring than ever before!

Nightlife

Without any false modesty, the organisers call it ‘the World’s Leading Dance Event’. Take a closer look at the facts and figures and you will see why. Sensation is the largest and most successful dance party in the world, drawing 40,000 visitors each year in Amsterdam and hosting international editions in 32 countries. To organise such a mega-event takes a monumental effort.

Nightlife

The 15th Sensation edition will not be going on an international tour and can only be experienced in Amsterdam. According to organiser Duncan Stutterheim: “This is a landmark event that deserves an exclusive show.” This event expects to welcome more foreign visitors than ever from 75 countries. Many visitors don’t fly home the next day but stay to explore the famous Amsterdam nightlife scene.

Arts & Culture

2015 marks exactly 125 years since the death of Vincent van Gogh. The painter still inspires many artists today. In memory of his life and work, many European countries are paying tribute to Van Gogh with unique exhibitions and celebrations.

Arts & Culture

The interactive exhibitions in Amsterdam’s Resistance Museum provide an impressive insight into the Netherlands in WWII. During this period, from 1940-1945, several Dutch people did their best to undermine the German occupation at great risk to their own lives. The fascinating collection is based on personal stories that showcase all the different actions undertaken by the Dutch in wartime.

Arts & Culture

The stately Royal Palace on Dam Square is one of the main historic monuments in Amsterdam. In the 17th century, the imposing building in the city centre was dubbed the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. Nowadays it is mainly used for official receptions and royal events, although the antique interior and beautiful art collection are open to the general public throughout the year.

Family fun

A tall, green building above the water of the IJ waterway. This is NEMO, the largest science museum in the Netherlands where you can dive into experiments and explore science and technology. Anyone curious about the world in which we live will adore this interactive museum – the perfect place to smell, hear, taste, feel and see how our planet works.