The residence, which houses the museum, was built in 1671-72 for a Flemish merchant. The interior dates from 1754-1771. Purchased by the Van Loon family in 1884, the house was opened in 1974 as the Museum Van Loon.
The Dining Room features fabric wall panels in a golden rust tone, with matching fabric draping the windows. A carved wooden chandelier from the mid-18th century lights the room. 19th-century Limoges table settings and a life-size figure in livery give the impression of awaiting guests’ arrival to dine. The silver candlesticks and centerpiece gracing the table are adorned with the family coat of arms. These date from the early 1800’s and were made in Amsterdam. An ornate gilt-framed m
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The Dining Room features fabric wall panels in a golden rust tone, with matching fabric draping the windows. A carved wooden chandelier from the mid-18th century lights the room. 19th-century Limoges table settings and a life-size figure in livery give the impression of awaiting guests’ arrival to dine. The silver candlesticks and centerpiece gracing the table are adorned with the family coat of arms. These date from the early 1800’s and were made in Amsterdam. An ornate gilt-framed mirror and the elegant marble fireplace beneath it are mid-18th century.
Twelve Louis XV period walnut armchairs decorate The Blue Drawing Room; the Louis XV period chests of drawers and sofa add additional elegance. Blue fabric panels accent cream walls; chairs are upholstered in a warm peach tone. The Oriental rug’s hues incorporate both the peach and blue tones. An eightfold lacquer screen from 19th-century China reposes in the corner.
The Red Drawing Room served as the smoking room, or gentlemen’s room, and was a place where the men would gather to talk or smoke pipes and cigars. The magnificent rock crystal and amethyst chandelier is from the 19th century. Red fabric panels contrast with soft green painted walls; chairs are upholstered in gold.
At the rear of the residence, the Garden Room was added in the 18th century. Though laid out in the 1970’s, the design of the garden imitated those of about 1700. Glass enclosed shelves flank each side of the doors. Limoges china rests upon the shelves on the left. The Garden Room holds the genealogical book of Nicolaes Van Loon.
Elegant Toile de Jouy fabric, decorating the walls of the Smaller Bedroom is still printed at Nimes, France using blocks from the 18th century. The bed and chairs of rosewood date from late-18th-century Portugal. The Larger Bedroom was meant to be a library, with bookcases concealed by tall doors. Two directoire-style beds from late 19th century France compliment 18th century chairs from the Netherlands.
The central piece in the Master Bedroom is the bed, a modern rendering of the "à la Polonaise" style bed, popular in the time of Louis XVI. Five Imari vases from 17th century Japan decorate the room. Deep crimson fabric wall panels add brightness to the somber blue-gray walls.
Between 1750-1820 in the Netherlands, it was popular to paint scenes on canvas to adorn the walls of one’s home. An example of this can be seen in the Painted Room. An ivory statuette illustrating David holding Goliath’s head aloft rests on a chest of drawers. Also displayed in the room are documents from the family archives.
Open Friday to Monday, 11am to 5:00pm.
Take tram 16, 24 or 25; get off at the Keizersgracht stop.
Telephone: +31 (0)20 624 5255.
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