The Red Room: One of the best-preserved period rooms along the canals of Amsterdam

A Story of Grief and Rebirth on the Canals of Amsterdam

The Red Room from 1720 in Huis Marseille tells a poignant and hopeful story of grief and rebirth. It is one of the best-preserved period rooms along the canals of Amsterdam.

In 1715, the Hamburg banker Paulus Heeger, who had already lived in Amsterdam for twenty years, purchased the house at Keizersgracht 399. He lived there with his wife Catharina and their two sons, Thomas and Mattheus.

Upon acquiring the property, Heeger undertook major renovations to accommodate both the family and his business. It seemed like a new beginning for the family—but fate had other plans. Shortly after moving in, their youngest son Mattheus died unexpectedly, followed by the sudden death of Catharina on Christmas Eve. The family dream, once so full of promise, was shattered.

After nearly two years of mourning, Paulus and his son Thomas slowly emerged from their grief. In an act of determination, they decided to renovate the house once again—this time on a grand and beautiful scale. The rear wing was expanded to four stories and an attic, and the ‘sael’ was transformed into a grand reception room. Paulus commissioned the painter Johannes Voorhout to create a ceiling painting depicting the mythological goddess Venus, symbolizing love and commerce.

However, above the mirror hangs a striking portrait of the Stoic philosopher Seneca—an homage to the inner strength Paulus found in the face of sorrow. The portrait, together with the mythological scene, forms a powerful symbol of the transition from grief to the restoration of hope and resolve.

The Red Room in Huis Marseille is not only an artistic masterpiece but also an emotional narrative of loss, recovery, and the resilience of the human spirit.

An audio tour is available in the museum, offering insights into the history of the various rooms. The tour is available in Dutch only.