Major Exhibition 'Monomania' Curated by Fiona Tan Unveils at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is set to host a significant new exhibition, "Monomania," opening its doors from July 4 to September 14, 2025. This marks a notable occasion as it is the first time in the museum's history that a contemporary artist has been invited to curate a major exhibition spanning the entire Philips Wing. The show, helmed by internationally recognized Indonesia-born Dutch artist Fiona Tan, explores themes of the human psyche and the early 19th-century origins of psychiatry through a diverse array of artworks and objects.
Exploring the Psyche: What to Expect at Monomania
Fiona Tan's curatorial approach for "Monomania" begins with her longstanding interest in how the inner workings of the mind are visually represented. She delves into the Rijksmuseum's extensive collection, creating unexpected juxtapositions that reflect her research into the beginnings of psychiatry. Visitors will encounter works by notable artists such as Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, and Raden Saleh, alongside intriguing items like Japanese masks and christening gowns.
Tan describes her process as asking "to what extent is it possible to see from the outside of a person what is happening on the inside?" Her journey through the museum's holdings has resulted in a selection of over 250 pieces, thoughtfully arranged across painting, decorative arts, and everyday objects, primarily from the 19th century. Taco Dibbits, General Director of the Rijksmuseum, notes that "Monomania" offers an almost cinematic experience, prompting reflection on recognition, alienation, and the complexities of the human mind.
A Unique Curatorial Vision: Featured Art and New Work
A central piece informing Tan’s research is Théodore Géricault’s Portrait of a Kleptomaniac (c. 1822), a work that forms part of his Les Monomanes series. This collection of ten portraits depicted individuals thought to suffer from obsessive fixations, a subject that fascinated 19th-century artists and physicians alike, who sought to understand mental afflictions through facial expressions.
The exhibition culminates with Janine's Room (2025), a new, large-scale spatial video installation commissioned by the Rijksmuseum. This immersive work by Fiona Tan features three projections, designed to envelop the viewer in a merging reality and imagination, concluding the exhibition’s exploration of perception and internal experience.
Visiting 'Monomania' at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
"Fiona Tan: Monomania" will be on display in the Philips Wing of the Rijksmuseum from July 4 to September 14, 2025. The exhibition has received support from the Mondriaan Fund and the Women of the Rijksmuseum Fund. Fiona Tan, an artist who has resided in Amsterdam since 1998 and previously represented the Netherlands at the Venice Biennale in 2009, is known for her research-based installations exploring memory, identity, and the deceptive nature of representation.
The exhibition design was crafted by Wilmotte & Associés, Paris, in collaboration with Tan, while Irma Boom Office handled the graphic design for the exhibition guide and accompanying publication.
Accompanying Events and Publications
To complement the exhibition, a richly illustrated publication will be available, featuring an in-depth essay by Fiona Tan, alongside contributions from psychologist Douwe Draaisma and Mayken Jonkman, curator of 19th-century paintings at the Rijksmuseum.
Visitors can also engage with related programming, including screenings of Fiona Tan's films like History’s Future, Dearest Fiona, and Ascent at De Uitkijk. Dates and times for these screenings can be found on www.uitkijk.nl, with discounts available for Rijksmuseum ticket holders. Additionally, an Artist Talk with Fiona Tan and curator Mayken Jonkman is scheduled for Sunday, July 13.
Discover more about current and upcoming exhibitions in Amsterdam, or explore other cultural highlights across the city. Visit Musemap (musemap.art) to browse museums in Amsterdam or see what else is on display.
