Marius van Dokkum Museum

From May 26, 2018 Harderwijk is a museum richer. Then the Marius van Dokkum Museum opens its doors.

In 2015, Van Dokkum exhibited at the Stadsmuseum in Harderwijk. The exhibition was a huge success. The large number of visitors and enthusiastic responses showed that the audience had fallen for the work of Marius van Dokkum. And Marius in turn fell for the city of Harderwijk, with its beautiful squares, streets and monuments. He felt so at home that together with the City Museum he went looking for a suitable location where he could permanently show his work.

His eye fell on one of the most beautiful buildings in Harderwijk, the former cutting room of the University of Harderwijk. Here, at the time, the professors dissected under the watchful eye of their student bodies during the so-called anatomical lessons. This striking historic location has been given a new and unique destination after a thorough renovation: a museum dedicated to the work of a living artist.

Museum shop

After a successful first version, this book has been completely revised, supplemented and updated. Now more emphasis is placed on what Marius van Dokkum calls “free work”. For example, Ruud Spruit writes in this book: “He creates stories, happy scenes and takes us with a wink to the reality he likes to take care of.” For sale in the museum shop (€ 39.00)

The books of Opa Jan

Grandpa Jan is the main character in the children’s books by Marius van Dokkum, who also illustrated the books himself. The name Jan in Opa Jan refers to ‘The household of Jan Steen’ or ‘a Janboel’ because Grandpa Jan is a real mess with lots of pets. Van Dokkum mainly writes and illustrates children’s books in the winter months, when the days are short and it is too dark to paint. For sale in the museum shop (€ 12.95)

Tickets & prices

Adults € 10,00
Young people 13 to 18 years € 5,00
Children up to 12 years free
Museumkaart free

Opening hours

Closed on Mondays
Tuesday to Saturday – 10.00 to 15.30
Sunday – 12.00 to 17.00

Walking route

Tickets & prices

Adults € 10,00
Young people 13 to 18 years € 5,00
Children up to 12 years free
Museumkaart free

Opening hours

Closed on Mondays
Tuesday to Saturday – 10.00 to 17.00
Sunday – 12.00 to 17.00

Walking route

A small selection from the collection of Marius van Dokkum

About Marius van Dokkum

Many of Van Dokkum’s paintings contain mild social criticism. Marius van Dokkum is averse to cynicism, he wants to give the audience a (laugh) mirror.

As a child, Van Dokkum already knew that he would become an artist. It was no surprise to the other family members. He did nothing but draw. His parents have never had a hard time getting him to the art academy. They had the idea that you would learn painting techniques there. With that expectation, Van Dokkum also went there, but he had to adjust his image quickly. Realism was then taboo, you had to experiment.