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The Huygens Museum is a dual-location cultural institution, comprising the Hofwijck country estate and the Notary House (Notarishuis). Hofwijck was the seventeenth-century country house of Constantijn Huygens (1596–1687), secretary to the stadholder. He designed the house and garden himself, with the assistance of Jacob van Campen. The designs of both house and garden were based on the teachings of Vitruvius, with ideal proportions based on those of the human body.
The collection contains artworks and other objects associated with Constantijn Huygens and his son Christiaan. Painted portraits, prints, correspondence, books from Constantijn’s estate, and replicas of models of Christiaan’s inventions illuminate diverse aspects of the seventeenth century.
The Notary House focuses on the history of Voorburg-Leidschendam. Its collection ranges from archaeological finds dating from Roman times to twentieth-century modern art. A particular highlight is the collection of objects and paintings built up by Princess Marianne of Orange-Nassau (1810–1883), who lived in Voorburg. The museum also possesses a large collection of paintings, prints, and sculptures by local artists.
Marinka van Dijk, Marketing & Communication (February 2026)
Related CODART publications
Rosalie van Gulick, “Lea van der Vinde Interviewed”, CODARTfeatures, May 2022.