Collection as Cosmos

Like constellations of stars in the night sky, 250 artworks are spread across the museum’s three floors. By linking personal stories to larger cycles, this collection display brings together different rhythms of time, from human histories to time on a cosmic scale.
Celebrating its 90th birthday in 2026, the Van Abbemuseum presents a new collection display that offers a fresh perspective on time and rethinks the way we look at our collection. Collection as Cosmos challenges the idea of art history as one, continuous timeline. Instead, it focuses on the constellations and connections we can create with artworks across time. The exhibition stimulates wonder, invites new perspectives, and opens up a lively dialogue with time.