The Fundatie collection: a history

The foundation for the Fundatie Collection was laid by collector Dirk Hannema (1895-1984), founder of the Hannema-de Stuers Fundatie Foundation. Museum de Fundatie evolved from this foundation. Over time, Hannema's collection fused with other collections, such as the collection of the Oosterholt couple, the Sparling couple and the collection of Willem Hogervorst. 

Since 1993, Museum de Fundatie has also managed the modern and contemporary art collection of the province of Overijssel. The Province has created this art collection with the aim of "dressing up" the provincial house and workplaces with it. Works of art from the provincial collection are still used for this purpose within Fundatie te guest. 

An important part of this collection is the 'Citroen collection', brought together by artist and collector Paul Citroen (1896-1983). The province purchased important parts of Citroen's collection between 1975 and 1987. Paul Citroen's collection includes artworks from 1900 to 1980. On display are works by Jacoba van Heemskerck, Charley Toorop, Herman Kruyder, Jan Sluyters, Carel Willink and Piet Ouborg, among others. There are also early works by Appel, Jorn and Corneille. Of course, there is also work by Paul Citroen himself.

In the 1980s, the province purchased new works of art. The aim was to add to the Citroen collection. The province also wanted to give more attention to developments in Dutch visual art after 1965. In that period, works by Armando, Guido Lippens, Thomas Rajlich, Hans Ebeling Koning, Jaap van den Ende, Nick Banks, Joep van Lieshout and Henk Visch, among others, were bought. From 1993, purchases were made under the responsibility of the Hannema-de Stuers Fundatie.

Collections are created by the preferences of a specific time. After all, a historically grown collection can also become less relevant: tastes change, society changes and some makers are more or less appreciated. 

Since 2023, Museum de Fundatie has been making new, surprising collection presentations at both locations all the time. Here, disciplines and works from different periods enter into dialogue with each other based on relevant themes. We like to bring different styles and perspectives together. This includes new acquisitions. We also commission contemporary makers to create new work inspired by the collection. 

This way, we offer a new view of the collection and complement it with new perspectives.