Dutch Lithography Museum: how images were reproduced
The Dutch Lithography Museum in Valkenswaard is devoted to lithography. A CoBrA exhibition connects the technique with graphic art.
The Nederlands Steendrukmuseum in Valkenswaard is the only museum in the world devoted entirely to lithographic art and lithography. It has preserved this graphic heritage since 2001. Founder Peter-Louis Vrijdag helped assemble the collection.
The museum traces the technique to Alois Senefelder, who invented lithography in 1798. It allowed images to be reproduced quickly and relatively cheaply; colour printing became possible in 1837. The museum shows prints as well as the techniques used to make them.
CoBrA in woord en beeld runs from 26 September 2026 through 28 February 2027. The exhibition focuses on collaboration and graphic art, with works from collections including the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum and Kunstmuseum Den Haag. The museum says some works that have long been out of view are being shown to the public for the first time.
A catalogue by junior curator Mijke Tonnon accompanies the exhibition. The programme also lists talks, drop-in guided tours, workshops and creative afternoons for children. Groups can arrange a printing demonstration on a press that is more than a hundred years old.
The museum is at Oranje Nassaustraat 8C and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. Online booking is optional. Buses 317 and 318 run from Eindhoven station towards Valkenswaard; visitors can get off at Valkenierstraat.
Admission is €9 for visitors aged 18 and over and €7 for those aged 13 to 17. Children aged 12 and under enter free when accompanied by an adult; Museumkaart holders also enter free. More than 60 volunteers help run the museum.