Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam Showcases New Swellengrebel Family Archive Acquisition
The Rijksmuseum, in collaboration with the National Archives, has officially acquired the extensive Swellengrebel family archive. This significant collection, spanning ten generations back to the 17th century, offers a unique window into the Dutch Cape Colony period. Visitors to the Rijksmuseum can now view a selection of items that shed light on a pivotal era of Dutch history.
Among the notable contents are the detailed travelogues and watercolors of Hendrik Swellengrebel the Younger (1734-1803), documenting his three journeys around the former Dutch Cape Colony, now part of South Africa. These journals provide rare insights into the interactions between colonialists, the region's indigenous populations, and enslaved inhabitants. A particularly poignant piece is a drawing of Augustus van Bengalen, one of the few enslaved individuals from the Cape whose name and likeness have been preserved.
Exploring the Rich History of the Swellengrebel Collection
Historians have long recognized the importance of the Swellengrebel family archive since its contents first gained attention in the 1930s. It serves as a vital resource for understanding a family deeply involved in the administration of the Dutch Cape Colony. Hendrik Swellengrebel the Elder (1700-1760), for instance, served as the colonial governor of the Cape from 1739 to 1751. Beyond this, the archive also details the lives of later generations engaged in legal, charitable, and medical work within the Netherlands.
The collection stands out for its remarkable completeness, featuring diverse items from a 1751 invoice for a 112-piece Chinese tableware service adorned with the family crest, offering details on original set sizes and broker fees, to an order for travel supplies for Hendrik Swellengrebel the Younger’s expeditions, including ox carts and hunting equipment.
Current Display at the Rijksmuseum
From June 4 to November 30, 2025, the Rijksmuseum is hosting a special presentation dedicated to the newly acquired archive. The exhibition highlights Hendrik Swellengrebel the Younger's travel journals and the accompanying watercolors commissioned from Johannes Schumacher (?-1792). These artworks depict landscapes, animals, and people described in Swellengrebel's writings, including a unique drawing by an Oeswana San depicting local wildlife. Also featured are a diary and drawing created by sisters Johanna (1730-1753) and Helena Swellengrebel (1733-1798) during their 1751 voyage from the Dutch Cape Colony to the Netherlands, offering a rare perspective from women aboard a VOC ship.
Accessing Further Archival Material
The oldest section of the family archive, covering the period from 1689 to 1804, is accessible for consultation in the reading room of the National Archives starting June 4. Many key documents from the collection have also been digitized and are available for public viewing online through the National Archives website. This includes additional travel journals by Hendrik Swellengrebel the Younger and travelogues by his sisters.
This significant acquisition further enriches the cultural offerings in Amsterdam, providing both historical enthusiasts and casual visitors with profound insights into a complex period of history. For more on what to explore, consider browsing other historical collections at museums in Amsterdam or seeing what else is currently on display across the city's cultural landscape. Musemap (musemap.art) helps you discover unique experiences; you can browse more museums or explore current exhibitions during your visit.
