Nederlands Fotomuseum

The Netherlands Photo Museum is the national photography museum of the Netherlands: it collects, preserves, studies and presents the Dutch photographic heritage.

Nederlands Fotomuseum: From Historic Icons to Contemporary Photography

The Nederlands Fotomuseum holds a leading position in the Dutch photography landscape. Photography was embraced early on in the Netherlands as both an art form and a way of capturing a rapidly modernising society. After World War II, a socially engaged style of photography emerged that would go on to influence the international scene. Today, the work of photographers such as Rineke Dijkstra, Viviane Sassen and Erwin Olaf reflects the diversity of Dutch photography.

A New Home at Pakhuis Santos

The museum has found a new home in the iconic Pakhuis Santos on Katendrecht. Relocating to this monumental warehouse from 1903 marks a new chapter for the national museum of photography. Inside the nine-storey building, one of the best-preserved historic warehouses in the Netherlands, visitors can explore highlights from the national collection while also gaining a unique glimpse behind the scenes in the open depots and restoration studios.

The museum is home to the Gallery of Honour of Dutch Photography, temporary exhibitions and educational spaces. It also features a library with Europe's largest collection of photo books and a fully equipped darkroom. On the ground floor you'll find Coffee Bar Santos, serving a signature house blend created especially for the museum. On the top floor, Restaurant ZES offers panoramic views over Rotterdam's skyline. Both venues are operated by Qeet.

Open Depots and Studios

At the heart of the building, spread across two floors, are the museum's collection and restoration studios. Through glass walls, visitors can peek behind the scenes. The open depots display a selection from the archive alongside remarkable objects from the collection. In the studios, specialists work every day to restore and conserve the Netherlands' photographic heritage.

Gallery of Honour of Dutch Photography

The Gallery of Honour traces the evolution of photography in the Netherlands, from its invention in 1839 to the present-day digital era.

Here you'll find 99 photographs selected for their social and artistic impact, featuring work by Anton Corbijn, Dana Lixenberg, Violette Cornelius, Ed van der Elsken, Paul Huf, Rineke Dijkstra and Erwin Olaf. The hundredth image is chosen by the visitors themselves.