The Willem van der Vorm collection

Willem van der Vorm (1873 Ijsselmonde - 1957 Rotterdam) was an important figure in the Rotterdam business community. In addition, he played a major role in the history of Museum Boijmans van Beuningen as collector. Not only are many works in the collection taken from his collection, one of the exhibition rooms is also named after him. This room is located in the freely accessible entrance area of the museum, and offers a place for temporary exhibitions.

Private collector

Van der Vorm initially started collecting 19th century painting for his private collection. After coming into contact with Dirk Hannema, who was director of Museum Boymans from 1921 until 1945, he shifted his interests to other periods, including that of the 17th century. In exchange for advice about new private acquisitions, Hannema asked Van der Vorm for support in acquiring works for the museum collection.
 

Willem van der Vorm Foundation

In 1956, a year before Willem van der Vorm died, a foundation was set up to administer the private collection. Initially this collection was exhibited in the Van der Vorm residence on the Westersingel 66. When this house had to make way for the construction of a metro station, the collection was housed in Museum Boijmans van Beuningen. Since 1992, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen has been given the collection on the basis of a long-term loan. In the arrangement, the works are on view in the middle of the museum’s own collection.

Digital catalogue

A catalogue has been compiled of all the paintings in the Willem van der Vorm Collection. A number of sculptures and drawings are also included. The text was written by Lisa Olrichs.
+ Download the  digital catalogue. [PDF, 4MB]