About the Marius van Dokkum Museum
The Marius van Dokkum Museum is dedicated entirely to the work of artist Marius van Dokkum. Since October 2026, the museum has been located at Academiestraat 14, in the heart of Harderwijk’s historic city centre. Here, Marius’ humorous, relatable and sometimes moving work has been given all the space it deserves.
A museum where you’re allowed to laugh
Marius’ paintings appeal to visitors of all ages. Ordinary people and everyday situations often take centre stage. With plenty of humour, an eye for detail and a warm view of humanity, Marius manages to turn them into something special every time.
His paintings invite you to take a closer look. You’ll discover new details time and again, perhaps recognise yourself or someone you know, and are guaranteed to leave the museum with a smile.
From exhibition to a museum of his own
The special connection between Marius van Dokkum and Harderwijk began with an exhibition at Stadsmuseum Harderwijk. The exhibition attracted many visitors, and their enthusiastic reactions soon made it clear that the public had fallen in love with Marius’ work. Marius, in turn, fell for Harderwijk, with its historic squares, streets and monuments.
Together with Stadsmuseum Harderwijk, he began looking for a place where his work could be displayed permanently. They found it in the former anatomy theatre of the University of Harderwijk at Academiestraat 7. In this remarkable historic building, where anatomy lessons were once held, the Marius van Dokkum Museum opened its doors in 2018.
The museum became a great success. More and more visitors found their way to Harderwijk, and after several years it became clear that the former anatomy theatre had become too small.
A Museum with a Smile
From the Anatomy Theatre to the new museum
The Marius van Dokkum Museum became a great success. More and more visitors found their way to Harderwijk, and it soon became clear that the former anatomy theatre had become too small.
Thanks to the support of the VriendenLoterij, the museum was able to take the next step. Just a stone’s throw from its former location, it found a new home at Academiestraat 14. Since October 2026, we have been welcoming visitors here in a spacious and contemporary museum, with more room for Marius’ paintings and for the stories behind his work.
Marius’ studio has been given a prominent place, while a personal film and a new audio tour bring visitors even closer to the artist. The new museum offers plenty of space to discover Marius and his work.
Beste Reizigers (Dear Travellers)
At 3.5 by 2.5 metres, Beste Reizigers (Dear Travellers) is the largest painting Marius van Dokkum has ever created. From 2018 to 2022, he worked on it one day a week in his studio at the old museum, where visitors could watch the painting gradually take shape.
Inspired by Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, Marius painted a contemporary scene on a busy railway platform. Almost all the travellers are completely absorbed in their mobile phones. Only an older couple and a small child still seek genuine contact with those around them. A recognisable image of our times, full of humour and surprising details that invite a closer look.
Turbo
Turbo from 2018 has become one of Marius van Dokkum’s best-known paintings. An older woman races past on her e-bike, with a determined expression, a striking hand gesture and, of course, her compression stockings. A familiar scene that Marius exaggerates just enough to make us smile.
But behind the humour lies a more serious message. The barren landscape refers to climate change, while the woman speeds ahead without looking around her. For Marius, this symbolises the way people treat the environment. Typical Marius: telling the truth with a smile.
Meegaan met je tijd (Keeping Up with the Times)
Meegaan met je tijd (Keeping Up with the Times)
Meegaan met je tijd (Keeping Up with the Times) is one of Marius van Dokkum’s best-known paintings. Two older people are trying to find their way in the world of modern technology. It is a familiar scene in which an everyday struggle is captured with plenty of humour.
Marius was inspired by his own parents-in-law when creating the painting. At the same time, the situation is relatable to many people: almost everyone knows someone who does not always find it easy to ‘keep up with the times’. Typical Marius, holding up a humorous mirror to the viewer with his keen eye for detail and a generous dose of humour.
Anatomische les (The Anatomy Lesson)
Anatomische les (The Anatomy Lesson) from 2014 is Marius’ playful take on Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp. Except here, the people have been replaced by… pears.
Pears often appear in Marius’ work. Their quirky shapes remind him of the pears from his parents-in-law’s orchard, and he sees all kinds of human characteristics in them. With a little imagination, their rounded forms soon turn into well-fed people with big bellies. In this way, Marius gives a famous scene from art history his own humorous twist.
Dansje in de kerk (A Dance in the Church)
Dansje in de kerk (A Dance in the Church) from 2005 is one of the most popular paintings among visitors and Marius’ own favourite work. Interestingly, it is a self-portrait: Marius recognises himself in the girl who dances spontaneously and freely through the church.
The painting was created after Marius received criticism for his contemporary illustrations of the Christmas story. By placing the dancing girl opposite the stern-looking churchgoers, Marius portrays two ways of experiencing faith: strict and restrained, or free and light-hearted. A personal painting with a deeper meaning in which many people recognise themselves.
Mannenhuishouding (A Man’s Household)
Mannenhuishouding (A Man’s Household) from 2006 depicts a man completely absorbed in his own world. With his moped in the living room, cats and clutter all around him and a pot of beans on the stove, he cares little about what others think of him. Meanwhile, curious women from next door peer in through the window.
For this tragicomic scene, Marius was inspired by people who live life entirely on their own terms, as well as by the lively domestic scenes of Jan Steen. He painted many of the objects from real-life examples. Even the moped belongs to Marius himself and can be seen at the museum.
Part of Stichting Stadsmuseum Harderwijk
The Marius van Dokkum Museum is part of Stichting Stadsmuseum Harderwijk. The foundation manages two museums in Harderwijk’s historic city centre, each telling its own unique story while complementing the other.
At Stadsmuseum Harderwijk, you can discover the city’s rich history: from Hanseatic town to university town, and from fishing to tourism. The museum also presents temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary figurative art.
There is plenty to discover beyond our museums too. The Beeldenroute (Sculpture Route) takes you past bronze sculptures at historic locations throughout the city centre. Together, they tell the stories of the people and events that have shaped Harderwijk over the centuries.
In this way, we bring art, local history and stories to life both inside and outside our museum walls.
