H’ART Museum in Amsterdam

H’ART Museum Amsterdam (formerly Hermitage) is a major museum located on the Amstel in Amsterdam. It runs major art exhibitions in conjunction with the British Museum in London, Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Book H’ART Museum tickets here

Between 2009-2022 it held regular exhibitions from the vast collection of the grand State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia. However, due to the deterioration of Western-Russian relations over Ukraine, the museum decided in March 2022 to cut ties with Russia.

In September 2023 the museum was rebranded as the H’ART Museum.

The museum is located on the banks of the river Amstel in a spectacular building which was opened in 1683 as the Diaconie Oude Vrouwen Huys – a sanctuary for older ladies. At the time it had the longest facade of any building in the country.

In 1817 it became an old people’s home for both men and women and was renamed Amstelhof in 1953. The home was finally closed in 2007 and the building was repurposed into a magnificent exhibition space, opening as the Hermitage in 2009.

From the Amstel side you enter via a short passageway into a pleasant courtyard garden. This is home to 3 ancient chestnut trees and 4 wingnut trees.

There is also an entrance on the eastern side at Neerlandiaplein accessible via the pleasant Hoftuin gardens from Weesperstraat.

Inside the foyer the all-white decor and signage is a bit disorienting at first – but after getting your tickets you can go off to either side to reach the exhibition wing spaces.

There are currently 2 elements to the H’ART Museum:

• H’ART Museum temporary exhibitions at each wing
  
• Museum of The Mind (Outsider Art)

H’ART Museum Temporary Exhibition

On the northern and southern flank of the building are the 2 main exhibition wings which are used for temporary exhibitions. To enter you have to scan your ticket at the barriers and the glass doors open automatically.

The current H’ART exhibitions are:

Jan Dibbets 1966-1976 – Toward Another Photography, monographic presentation dedicated to the Amsterdam-based Dutch artist. Runs 23 Jan to 5 Apr 2026.

American Identities are exhibitions in collaboration with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. American Myth & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs explores the myths in American visual culture from Wild West to Barbie. Runs 13 Feb to 6 Sep 2026.

Radical Histories: Chicano Prints from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, prints of artists with Mexican heritage about American identity. Runs 19 Mar to 6 Sep 2026.

H’ART Museum is expected to run the following temporary exhibitions up to 2028:

Chez Matisse: large-scale exhibition on Henri Matisse (1869–1954) in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou. More than 30 original Matisse artworks on show plus works from contemporaries and followers. Runs 3 October 2026 – 14 February 2027

Feminine Power: Spring – Summer 2027
Surrealism: September 2027 – February/March 2028
Fernand Léger: September 2028 – February/March 2029

Museum of the Mind (Outsider Art)

On the ground floor of the Amsterdam Museum Wing can be found the Museum of the Mind (Outsider Art) – featuring works from international artists from the Outsider art movement – referring to people who did not study art.

The collection is run in collaboration with the Museum of the Mind (Museum van de Geest) at the Dolhuys in Haarlem.

H’ART Museum Church Hall

At the front of the building you will find the light and airy Church Hall (Kerkzaal) – perhaps one of the most beautiful rooms in Amsterdam. This was a place of worship in the former old people’s home.

It has magnificent views over both the Amstel river and the inner courtyard garden.

H’ART Museum facilities

Free lockers are available behind the main ticket desk.

The H’ART Museum shop (open 10:30-17:00) is found on the ground floor of the H’ART Museum wing.

The H’ART Museum Grand Café is on the first floor of the foyer which is open to the public without need for a museum ticket. A large auditorium is found on the 2nd floor of the foyer, above the café.

An alternative place to eat/drink is at the Dignita Hoftuin, a popular glass teahouse located in the Hoftuin gardens behind the H’ART Museum on the eastern side.

After 13 years as the Hermitage, the new H’ART Museum is finding its place on the international museum scene. With a beautiful building and a great setting on the Amstel, it is certainly worth a visit – particularly if the exhibition on show is of interest to you.

H’ART Museum Amsterdam Essential Info

This article was first published in 2009. Last checked and updated 5 March 2026.

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