Huis Marseille

In 1665, a grand canal house arose on Keizersgracht 401. It was built for Isaac Focquier, a French merchant whose ship, laden with goods from Marseille, had brought him fortune in Amsterdam. This house, known as Huis Marseille, now stands before us, not as a testament to mercantile success, but as a haven for photographic art. Huis Marseille became Amsterdam’s first photography museum in 1999. It’s a fascinating transformation. Imagine Focquier, fresh off his ship, commissioning a stone carving of Marseille’s map for his new home. He couldn’t have foreseen that centuries later, his house would showcase not maps, but captured moments in time. Huis Marseille isn’t a sterile white cube. The original 17th-century layout remains, complete with a courtyard, garden, and even a Louis XIV-style room, resurrected in its original vibrant red. These rooms, adorned with original details, offer a unique backdrop for the photographic art within. Think of the opulent ceiling paintings, the delicate stucco work, the cool marble finishes. These elements create a dialogue between the historic and the contemporary. Huis Marseille houses an impressive collection of modern photography, from artists like Jacqueline Hassink and Anton Corbijn. It also hosts rotating exhibitions, exploring diverse themes and artistic visions. The museum expanded in 2013 to include the neighboring building at Keizersgracht 399. This expansion doubled the exhibition space, allowing for a richer, more varied exploration of photography’s power. Huis Marseille seeks to showcase photography as an art form. It highlights artists developing new visual languages, reflecting the changing times. The museum’s collection includes works by renowned photographers such as Berenice Abbott, Viviane Sassen, and Edward Burtynsky, reflecting this commitment. Step inside and experience the intersection of history and art. Explore the interplay of light and shadow, the captured moments that speak volumes. Huis Marseille offers a unique perspective on photography and its evolution. It’s a journey through time, captured within the walls of a historic Amsterdam canal house.