About the Museum
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Research Projects
Collection Research
We investigate where the objects in our collection come from and who previously owned them. We do this for new acquisitions, as well as for objects that have been in the collection for some time. This helps us gain the best possible understanding of the history behind each object. We pay particular attention to potentially looted art and objects that involuntarily changed hands around the time of the Second World War.
As new information continues to become available, for example through digitised archives, provenance research remains an ongoing and important part of our work.
Traces of the history of slavery
Since 2022, Centraal Museum has been researching its own collection for links to slavery and the colonial past. While it was previously assumed that Utrecht had little involvement in this history, it has become clear that colonial networks and wealth were also deeply intertwined with everyday life here.
The research shows that these traces are often hidden—not only in striking objects, but especially in everyday items such as tableware, clothing and household goods. Many of these objects entered the collection through families whose wealth was derived in part from colonial trade or investments in plantations.
Taking a fresh look at the collection brings new stories to light. The museum examines not only what an object is, but also where it came from, who was involved and what role it played within a colonial system. This reveals how slavery and colonialism continue to shape art, culture and the history of collecting.
This research is an ongoing process. It helps raise awareness, creates space for multiple perspectives and enables the museum to present the collection within a broader, more inclusive context.
Representation
We also examine which stories and perspectives are represented in our collection, and which are still missing. What objects have we collected, what stories do they tell, and where are our blind spots? In recent years, we have taken steps to make more room for different perspectives, including those of non-Western makers and thinkers, and of makers and visitors with disabilities.
We don’t do this alone. Together with external experts and local communities, such as the Kenniscentrale and the City Editorial Team, we seek out overlooked stories and fresh perspectives. This is how we are creating a museum in which more people can see their lives, experiences and histories reflected.