Museum MORE | Ruurlo Castle

Discover the life and work of master painter Carel Willink in Ruurlo Castle, where art, history, architecture and nature come together. The extraordinary Ruurlo Castle lies in the wooded surroundings of the Achterhoek. The national monument is one of the most beautiful castles in the area and is surrounded by a gorgeous, lively English landscape garden.

Art collectors and Museum MORE initiators Hans and Monique Melchers have housed their Carel Willink collection in Ruurlo Castle. The castle and the surrounding landscape park have been fully restored. Architect Cor Bouwsta, couturier Ronald Kolk and architect Hans van Heeswijk were brought in to combine five centuries of construction history with modern architecture.

Masterfully puzzling

A master painter like Carel Willink (1900-1983) deserves a monumental home. Ruurlo Castle has 45 of his works on display, from a self-portrait he made at the age of 18, to the famous painting Portrait of Mathilde. The exhibition at Ruurlo Castle shows the development of a searching artist who gradually develops as the unparalleled painter of an elegant and enigmatic oeuvre. Along with the work of Carel Willink, the museum also exhibits extraordinary creations by fashion designer Fong Leng. Magic, history, theatre and extravagance come together in Ruurlo Castle.

The castle

With its extraordinary mix of paintings by master artist Carel Willink, architecture ranging several centuries, the adjacent orangery and all the natural beauty of the Achterhoek, a visit to Ruurlo Castle is guaranteed to be a day to remember.  The castle’s rooms can be accessed with a museum ticket. For non-museum visitors, the surrounding English landscape garden and orangery are freely accessible.