Pier Pander Museum

In the Prinsentuin, the beautiful city park on the edge of Leeuwarden's city center, are the museum and the temple dedicated to the Frisian sculptor Pier Pander (1864-1919).

Pier Pander, the son of a Frisian skipper, grew into one of the most famous Dutch artists of his time. At the age of 21, he won the prestigious Prix de Rome for sculpture.

A serious illness incapacitated him at the beginning of his career. Despite his illness, he became a successful sculptor. He lived and worked in Rome for most of his life, but often returned to the Netherlands in the summer. Pander received many commissions for portraits, including those of members of the royal family. The portrait of Queen Wilhelmina on the guilder is by his hand.

In addition to temporary exhibitions, the museum is showing a retrospective on the life and work of Pander.
His life's work, a temple containing a group of five marble statues, stands further down in the park (Noorderplantage 7).
The museum and the temple are managed by the Historical Center Leeuwarden (HCL).   

The museum is open every weekend from June through September. Check www.pierpander.nl for current opening hours.