Kattenkabinet

Founded in commemoration of the ginger cat John Pierpont Morgan (1966-1983), named after the famous American banker.

This special cat was the stubborn, headstrong companion of the museum's founder, Bob Meijer.

When in 1983 J.P. Morgan died, its owner was inconsolable. To deal with the loss, Bob started collecting various items and eventually this became an entire collection. It was opened as a museum in 1990.

History

The houses at Herengracht 497 and 499 date back to 1667 and were originally built for the Van Loon brothers, part of a wealthy merchant family.

The Van Loons held the house at 497 until 1725 - since then it has seen a number of other notable occupants including former Amsterdam mayor Jan Calkoen and pensionary Engelbert van Berckel, who was visited here by then US ambassador John Adams.

The house was purchased by the current owner Bob Meijer in 1985 and was subsequently restored. He still lives on the second floor of the house along with his 5 resident cats.

Collection

The private collection of the Cat Cabinet comprises paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and sculptures which show the role of the cat in art and culture through the centuries.

It includes works by, among others, Pablo Picasso, Sal Meijer, Rembrandt and Henri de Toulouse L'Autrec. The museum often works together with the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum to display special works of art.

Location

The museum is situated in the 'Golden Bend' of Amsterdam. It is housed on the 1st floor in a number of rooms with original period furniture - including the ballroom which has a fine ceiling painting from 1670.