To mark its 10th anniversary this September, Voorlinden is presenting an exceptional and celebratory exhibition: Celebrating the icons of art. Contemporary icons from the museum’s collection are presented alongside masterpieces of 20th-century art. In this encounter, familiar works take on unexpected new meanings and surprising connections emerge. For the first time in its history, the entire museum will be transformed for this special anniversary exhibition. The exhibition opens on Saturday 12 September 2026.

On 10 September 2016, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands officially opened museum Voorlinden in Wassenaar. Over the following decade, Voorlinden grew into a much-loved oasis of art, nature and architecture in the Randstad, securing a unique place within the Dutch museum landscape. This success is largely due to its remarkable collection of modern and contemporary art, including Leandro Erlich’s Swimming Pool, James Turrell’s Skyspace and Richard Serra’s Open ended, all of which are permanently on display.

Celebrating the Icons of Art will be a celebration of both recognition and surprise. By presenting these works side by side, entirely new stories emerge.

(Suzanne Swarts)

Over the past 10 years, the museum has organised 65 exhibitions drawing on its collection, ranging from thematic presentations to solo exhibitions dedicated to internationally renowned artists and emerging talent alike. Visitors have come to see artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Alberto Giacometti, Ellsworth Kelly, Anselm Kiefer, Yayoi Kusama, Alicja Kwade, Ron Mueck, Pablo Picasso, Rinus Van de Velde and Wayne Thiebaud, while also discovering artists including Martin Creed, Simone Post, Rogier Roeters, Robin Rhode and Do Ho Suh.

Cherished works of art

With Celebrating the icons of art, Voorlinden not only reflects on ten remarkable years but also looks ahead to the future. The exhibition brings together much-loved contemporary works from the Voorlinden collection and twentieth-century masterpieces on loan from the collections of partner museums and institutions. These are works that have shaped our visual memory and inspired generations of artists and audiences.

The exhibition also demonstrates how works from Voorlinden’s own collection have, within a relatively short period, acquired iconic status. These are artworks that hold a special place in the hearts of countless visitors and have become inseparable from the museum’s identity.

This exhibition is about the enduring and unforgettable power of art — works that become lodged in your memory, that you cannot let go of, and that together help to write art history.

(Director Suzanne Swarts)

The exhibition features works by, among others, Francis Bacon, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Nick Cave, Félix González-Torres, Damien Hirst, David Hockney, Martha Jungwirth, Mike Kelley, Yayoi Kusama, Fernand Léger, Roy Lichtenstein, Henri Matisse, Annette Messager, Joan Miró, Claude Monet, Bruce Nauman, Louise Nevelson, Lygia Pape, Gerhard Richter and Bridget Riley.