Het Tijdelijk Museum was founded in 1974 by the Belgian/Dutch visionary Dolf Nijman. As Nijman’s parents were conscripted, they believed he would be safer with his grandfather in the Netherlands when the war broke out in 1914. Thus, Dolf grew up playing in his grandfathers tannery, located in the Delfshaven area of Rotterdam. In this period, he started making small pouches of the leather scraps in the tannery. These pouches soon developed into bags and later leather suitcases. In 1924, at age 19, Dolf founded his own suitcase company which he named DONI. Through the course of time the materials and assortment extended from traditional luggage to suitcases and archivers aimed for a variation of professions - such as medical suitcases, toolboxes, Bocha cases (used by the Dutch national team from 1952-1974) and archival cases for business men and lawyers alike. Nijman travelled around in Europe to show his suitcases to possible clients and collaborators throughout almost three decades. It was during this time he discovered his passion for art, and slowly started collecting art-pieces.
After having collected an extensive collection of artworks, Dolf Nijman eventually separated from DONI Suitcases in 1974, and founded Het Tijdelijk Museum. The process was extensively supported by several former clients, such as politicians, doctors and professional Bocha players who had enjoyed his craft and expertise. Although Het Tijdelijk Museum was initially intended (as the name suggests) to be a temporary museum to display his collection, history wanted it differently, and in 2024 Het Tijdelijk celebrates its 50 year jubilee.
Dolf Nijmans birth
World War I
Dolf moves in with his grandfather in the tannery
DONI suitcase company is founded
Dolf aquires a great collection of art on his travels through DONI
Het Tijdelijk Museum of Modern Art is founded
Dolf Nijman steps down,new director
Dolf Nijman passes
Het Tijdelijk Museum 50 year anniversary