aventuro Back to map A
Museums #12 in Amstelveen

Museum Jan

4.5 · 979 reviews
A quiet place for contemplative appreciation of light and form.
Museum Jan, Dorpsstraat 50, 1182 JE Amstelveen, Netherlands
Interesting facts
1

The museum was founded by Jan van der Togt, the former director of the Amstelveen-based company Tomado, famous for its modular wire shelving systems.

2

The collection includes over 600 glass objects, making it one of the largest specialized glass art museums in Europe.

3

The building's architecture intentionally uses large glass facades to engage in a dialogue with the art displayed inside.

4

Museum Jan regularly holds 'Artistic Dialogues' that pair modern painting with three-dimensional studio glass.

5

The museum is actively involved in the preservation and research of 20th-century glassblowing techniques.

Overview

Museum Jan is a specialized art museum in Amstelveen, Netherlands, globally recognized for its extensive collection of contemporary studio glass art. Originally established as the Jan van der Togt Museum, it focuses on high-quality glass sculpture, paintings, and works on paper. The museum building was designed by architects Hans Ruijssenaars and Jan van der Togt to provide optimal natural lighting for delicate glass exhibits. Its permanent collection features pieces from internationally renowned glass artists such as Ann Wolff and Václav Cigler. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions that frequently feature modern figurative art alongside its core glass collection. It is situated in the historic Old Village of Amstelveen. The facility serves as a cultural hub for the local community, emphasizing the intersection of light, transparency, and artistic craft.

Photo spot

The central hall where natural light interacts with the colorful, transparent glass sculptures.

Insider tips

Combine your museum visit with a walk through the surrounding historic Dorpsstraat.

Check the museum website for 'Meet the Artist' events, which occur regularly during exhibition rotations.

Visit the small museum shop, which stocks unique, locally crafted glass pieces.

What to avoid

Assuming the museum is a large-scale institution; it is a smaller, focused space, so do not rush through the exhibits.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays.

Etiquette

Maintain a quiet volume; do not touch the glass displays, as they are fragile and often unbarricaded.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings to enjoy the natural light in the galleries without peak weekend crowds.
Address
Museum Jan, Dorpsstraat 50, 1182 JE Amstelveen, Netherlands
52.302, 4.847
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsContemporary studio glass collection, modernist painting, and rotating temporary installations.
Architectural focusDesigned specifically for optimal natural light to showcase transparent sculpture.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings to enjoy the natural light in the galleries without peak weekend crowds..

The central hall where natural light interacts with the colorful, transparent glass sculptures.

Close by you'll find Het Amsterdamse Bos, Museum Cobra, Van Gogh Museum.