The Kleijn Collection Dutch

The Kleijn Collection was formed through the shared passion of Willem and Anneke Kleijn. Willem (who passed away in 2021) worked for Organon and lived with his family in many different countries. During the final twelve years of his life, he and Anneke resided in the Netherlands. Reflecting their shared roots in Groningen, their collecting focused primarily on Northern Realism and artists associated with the Minerva Academy as a central point of reference.

Their daughter Marleen recalls: “My parents began building their collection some 45 years ago. They started by acquiring lithographs during their first stay in Paris. In the year my father had worked for AKZO Nobel for 25 years, he was invited by the company to choose a painting. He selected a work by René Jansen, a representative of Northern Realism, this marked the beginning of the collection. Even while working abroad, he continued to follow developments closely and acquired new works. He described collecting art as, on the one hand, a great joy, but on the other, a pleasant responsibility and duty. One must care for it, cherish it, display it in the right conditions, and he also considered the framing very important, so that the whole came together harmoniously.”

Now that Anneke is moving to a smaller home, she has decided to give part of the collection a new home, allowing other enthusiasts, just as she has, to enjoy it for many years to come. 

As a gallery, we are honoured that the family has entrusted us with part of this remarkable collection. Henk Helmantel, Pieter Pander, Kenne Grégoire, Wout Muller, Jan van der Kooi, Ben Snijders, Barend Blankert… are just a few of the many names represented in this impressive collection. A unique opportunity to discover - and acquire - works by artists who, through craftsmanship and an eye for detail, elevate the everyday to the exceptional.