Futurism museum Netherlands

Futurism (1909–1916) was a predominantly Italian art movement that embraced the vitality of modern society. It exalts noise, movement, speed, technology, war and dynamism. In fact, it idealizes everything modern, new and fast. The world was rapidly changing due to the invention of electricity (street lamps), steam engines, cars, trains, trams, the first airplanes, radio and telegraphy, plastics, photography and film. The power and energy of this modern life provided inspiration for the Futurist artists. They contributed to this innovation and expressed the energy and dynamism of the new era through their art.

Futurism is not only an avant-garde art movement producing Futurist art, but also an attitude to life. In the eyes of Futurist artists, all things stem from action, the world is in constant motion and everything is subject to perpetual change. ‘Futuristic’ was synonymous with young, modern and rebellious. Futurist artists sought a new aesthetic and a radical renewal of society as a whole. Old values and norms had to be discarded. These artists were only interested in dealing with the future. This resulted in not only Futurism paintings and sculptures, but also all kinds of functional objects, from furniture and carpets to ceramics and books. The Futurists also occupied themselves with advertising, theatre, film and architecture. Enough to fill a dedicated Futurism museum.

Although it is currently the premier Futurism museum in the Netherlands, the collection that Helene Kröller-Müller assembled was lacking in Futurism artworks, which she later deeply regretted. She had overlooked the importance of Futurism as one of the avant-garde movements of the early twentieth century. The art movement remained underappreciated well into the twentieth century. Consequently, it is hardly possible to speak of a Futurism museum in the Netherlands.

Fortunately, the directors that followed Helene worked hard to fill the gap in her collection. Futurist works by Giacomo Balla and Umberto Boccioni were acquired in the 1970s. And particularly in recent years, the Futurism gallery has been expanded greatly. This expanded Futurist collection provided the basis for our successful Futurism exhibition in 2023.