Permanent Collection
The Municipal Museum of Leiden is a museum of typical Dutch urban culture from the 16th century to the present. Since 1874 it has been housed in the Lakenhal, the former clothmakers' hall built in 1640 by Arent van 's Gravensande. A series of 16th-century paintings by Isaac van Swanenburgh depicting the various stages of the wool production process is supplemented by a loom, sample books, scissors, stamps, etc. Events from Leiden's history are also depicted, such as the siege of the city and its relief on 3 October 1574. The collection contains Leiden silver, engraved glass, pewter, tiles and paintings by 16th-century Leiden artists. The 17th century is represented by the young Rembrandt, Lievens, David Bailly, Jan Steen, Gerard Dou and the Leiden 'Precise School'. The 18th century is presented in rooms furnished in the style of the period. The 19th-and 20th-century collection contains work by Bakker, Korff, Jan Toorop, H.P. Bremmer, Floris Vester, Kamerlingh Onnes, Hendrik Valk, Theo van Doesburg and early examples of 'De Stijl'. Works from the contemporary collection are exhibited every summer.