Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography

Contemporary photography in an ornate environment

Since its founding in 1999, it has been the first museum in the Netherlands dedicated entirely to photography as an art form. Unlike the conventional "white cube" gallery style, Huis Marseille embraces its original architecture, light-filled rooms that enrich the experience of the photographic works on display.

The museum presents a dynamic program of exhibitions, which change every quarter. Following its expansion in 2013, Huis Marseille has been able to showcase not only temporary exhibitions but also highlights from its growing in-house collection, creating deeper connections between past and present works.

The Houses

The museum is housed in two 17th-century canal houses, which feature many of the original details, such as lavish ceiling frescos, stucco, marble and a red Louis XIV style salon. The museum also includes a library, a specialist photography bookstore and a canalside garden.

Collection

Huis Marseille has acquired around 750 works of contemporary photography since it opened two decades ago. This includes the works of many internationally prominent photographers, such as Thomas Struth, Thomas Ruff, Andreas Gursky, Andres Serrano, Deana Lawson, Viviane Sassen and Jean-Luc Mylayne. The exhibition also covers less well-known names. New additions to the collection include photos by Jamie Hawkesworth and Julie Greve, created at the crossroads of fashion and art.