Cobra is an avant-garde art movement of European artists from the 1940s and 1950s who originated from Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam – hence the acronym CoBrA.
The artists developed the movement in Paris before taking their work to a wider audience in New York.
The popular Cobra Museum in Amstelveen (south of Amsterdam) highlights paintings and sculptures from the movement and also holds frequent exhibitions of other modern artists.
The Cobra collection contains various works from renowned Dutch Cobra artists such as Karel Appel, Constant and Corneille; and also from Danish, Belgian and French Cobra artists.
This abstract style of art has child-like quality with bright colours, bold brush strokes and distorted human figures.
The Cobra museum opened in 1995 and is housed in a modern building designed over 2 levels by Dutch architect Wim Quist. The galleries have a light, airy and pleasant feel with floor to ceiling windows overlooking water and gardens. Labelling is in both Dutch and English.
The patio area has a dry zen garden designed by Japanese-American artist Shinkichi Tajiri which uses steel plates. Its three elements feature clouds, mountains and sea.
Cobra Museum: Current Exhibitions
Cobra 75: A Cry for Freedom! Exhibition celebrating 75 years of the Cobra art movement. Runs 20 Oct 2023 to 14 Apr 2024.
Anton Corbijn – MOØDe, exhibition from the Dutch photographer, exploring the crossover between photography and the world of fashion – includes lots of celebrity photos. Runs 22 Dec 2023 to 12 May 2024.
The museum has a shop at the reception and a bright café serving drinks and snacks.
Outside the front entrance of the museum is The Fountain, an interesting water sculpture by Karel Appel.
Private tours are available for groups up to 15 and cost €102.50 for English.
The Cobra is recommended if you have a particular interest in the movement or modern art in general. It can be seen in an hour or two, although do allow a further 30-45 minutes each way to travel to/from the centre of Amsterdam.
Other modern and contemporary art museums in Amsterdam are Stedelijk and MOCO Museum.
Cobra Museum Essential Info
Cobra Museum Opening Hours1000-1700 Tue-Sun, closed Mondays. |
Cobra Museum Admission€20.00 for adults, €12.50 for CJP/students. FREE entry for children 0-17, Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City Card holders. Special exhibitions can attract a surcharge. Order the I Amsterdam City Card online here which includes free entrance and GVB transport to the Cobra Museum. |
How to Get to Cobra MuseumThe Cobra Museum is located in the centre of Amstelveen, a satellite town to the south of Amsterdam. Take GVB tram 5 (from Leidseplein/Museumplein or Zuid Station) to the final stop Amstelveen Stadshart which is about a 10 minute walk from the museum.  There are also some Connexxion bus services to Amstelveen bus station (note GVB tickets not valid) – bus 358 from Amsterdam Zuid or buses 347 or 357 from Museumplein/Leidseplein. The museum is just across the road from the bus station. |
Cobra Museum Address / ContactCobra Museum, Sandbergplein 1, 1181 ZX Amstelveen |
Last updated 7 March 2024. This article was first published in 2013 and has been regularly updated.
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