More than a hundred women who made Amsterdam finally get a stage at the Amsterdam Museum. The exhibition 'Women of Amsterdam - an ode' tells their stories, from fishmongers to architects.
A 1796 kettlewoman, a Turkish women's association from the 1970s and a contemporary transgender activist. These are just some of the more than 100 women on display in the Amsterdam Museum's new exhibition from 14 December. The exhibition is a tribute to the often forgotten women who made the city what it is today.
Male perspective broken
"Without women, Amsterdam could not exist," says Imara Limon, chief curator of the Amsterdam Museum. "Their presence made the city possible and shaped it. But in the history books, the male perspective dominates." With this exhibition, the museum wants to break that perspective, as a gift for the city's 750th anniversary.
The exhibition came about following a special call on International Women's Day 2024. The museum asked Amsterdammers to create an ode to women who have had significance for the city. "It could be anything," Limon explains. "A letter, a poem, a song, a video or a work of art." The response was overwhelming - hundreds of odes poured in.
From mundane to activist
What is special about the exhibition is its broad outlook. Whereas often only the 'big names' are highlighted, here the invisible forces are also given a stage. An entire room is dedicated to women who have remained completely out of the spotlight: cleaners, servants, orphans and undocumented women.
Tangible memories tell their stories. Through objects from the museum's collection and personal objects on loan, the women are brought to life. From a painting of an anonymous fish seller from 1617 to the uniform of a contemporary activist.
Modern art connects past and present
The exhibition is not just a historical overview. Ten contemporary artists and designers were invited to create new work inspired by meaningful women. Tyna Adebowale, for instance, pays tribute to plural motherhood with a sound installation showing the many mothering languages on Dam Square. Sarah van Sonsbeeck honours Lau Mazirel, a resistance fighter and champion of gay and women's rights, with a light installation.
The exhibition design, by Studio L A, is a work of art in itself. Spatial interventions, based on designs by six female architects, are on display in several rooms. From the Vossius Gymnasium by Marlies Rohmer to the Gay Monument by Karin Daan.
For young and old
The exhibition has been made accessible to different audiences. There is a special family trail for children from six years old, including an audio tour. A comprehensive teaching programme has been developed for schools.
Women of Amsterdam - an ode can be seen from 14 December 2024 to 31 August 2025 at the Amsterdam Museum on the Amstel (Amstel 51). The exhibition is part of a wider programme in which three museums - the Amsterdam Museum, H'ART Museum and Museum van de Geest - are jointly celebrating Amsterdam's 750th anniversary.
- Location: Amsterdam Museum aan de Amstel (Amstel 51)
- Dates: 14 December 2024 to 31 August 2025
- There is a special family trail with audio tour for children aged 6 and above
- Combiticket available for all three museums in the building
The exhibition was made possible with support from the Culture Fund, DigitALL Culture Desk, Mondriaan Fund, Dutch Literature Fund, Creative Industry Stimulation Fund and Fund 21.
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