History of ARTIS
ARTIS has been bringing humanity and nature together since 1838. As the Netherlands’ first public zoo – and one of the five oldest in the world – ARTIS has grown to become an inspiring place in the heart of the city to learn about and experience nature.
Westerman, Werlemann and Wijsmuller
ARTIS was founded in 1838 as the Natura Artis Magistra Zoological Society by G.F. Westerman, J.W.H. Werlemann and J.J. Wijsmuller. The full name translates from Latin as ‘Nature is the teacher of art and science’, but it soon became popularly known simply as ‘Artis’.
The founding of Natura Artis Magistra
Promoting the knowledge of natural history
Upon its founding, the primary purpose of ARTIS was ‘To promote the knowledge of Natural History’. G.F. Westerman, the driving force behind ARTIS, was a bookseller and publisher. His profound interest in nature inspired his idea for a place in Amsterdam where people could come and learn about living things. A zoo would be established for that specific purpose, but cabinets containing ‘non-living nature’ specimens were also seen as essential.
A society for Amsterdam’s well-to-do residents
ARTIS was founded as a society, which meant that only members had access. Since the membership fee was equal to the monthly wage of the average Amsterdam labourer or office clerk, ARTIS was primarily the domain of wealthy Amsterdam residents during the 19th century. ARTIS was immediately popular, however; the society had already gathered 500 members after just one year!
Getting acquainted with exotic animals
ARTIS opened in 1838 with a very modest animal collection composed of a few birds and monkeys, an otter and a ‘Surinamese forest cat’. Shortly afterwards, ARTIS took over Cornelis van Aken’s travelling animal collection, which had up till then travelled around the fairs, introducing townsfolk to exotic animals. These new acquisitions, which included the ‘real Royal Ceylon Elephant’ Jack, attracted much attention and immediately turned ARTIS into a zoo of note.
ARTIS in the nineteenth century
ARTIS grows
In the first forty years after its establishment, ARTIS bought more and more land in the Plantage neighbourhood. A park full of greenery and meandering paths was created. The Aquarium, a long-cherished wish, was the last ARTIS expansion project in the 19th century. Upon its completion in 1881, the Aquarium was an unparalleled success, setting an international example that has since been frequently copied.
The ARTIS collections, both living and non-living, also continued to expand. To this end, the society depended on its members, many of whom had connections in overseas territories that enabled them to obtain many animals.
Museum collections
The museum collections also grew steadily, and between 1850-1855, an impressive Main Building was constructed to house them all. This later became known as the Groote Museum. By 1900, ARTIS was home to an impressive 10 museum exhibitions. In addition, concerts were frequently held in the ‘music kiosk’, which attracted a great many listeners.
Because of the variety of high-class entertainment on offer at ARTIS in the nineteenth century, it became an integral part of cultural life. And although the society soon began to pursue scientific goals, membership of ARTIS remained a status symbol. An example of this is the character Batavus Droogstoppel in Max Havelaar (1860), who presents himself as a well-to-do citizen by mentioning his membership of ARTIS.
For all residents of Amsterdam
Under the leadership of second director Coenraad Kerbert, the focus of ARTIS shifted to animals, which eventually lead to the closure of the museums. During this period, ARTIS became a centre for scientific research and nature conservation, which resulted in the founding of Vereniging Natuurmonumenten (the Society for Preservation of Nature Monuments in the Netherlands) in 1905. The most significant change that Kerbert brought about was to open ARTIS up to all interested parties and from that point on, ARTIS became of and for all residents of Amsterdam, inextricably intertwined with the city.
ARTIS in the twentieth century
The outlines of the modern zoo
In the 1930s, ARTIS fell into decline as a result of the economic crisis. Visitor numbers and revenues dwindled and by 1939, bankruptcy was looming on the horizon. Except for the animals, all of the assets were transferred to the city of Amsterdam and the province of North Holland. ARTIS was allowed to rent the land and buildings for one guilder per year. This support enabled the renewal of the zoo, with bars and fences making way for canals and artificial rocks. In 1931, ARTIS also commenced participation in a species conservation programme for the wisent, which had become extinct in the wild. Thus emerged the first outlines of the modern zoo.
Early species conservation programmes
The 20th century brought significant changes to ARTIS and other zoos. Greater attention to animal welfare resulted in improvements to nutrition, care and enclosures. The focus was no longer on displaying as many species as possible. Zoos evolved to become conservationist organisations. In 1985, the first of the EEPs (EAZA Ex-situ Programmes) for species conservation started up. Cooperations between ARTIS and other European zoos eventually led to the establishment of EAZA, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.
From the Big Bang to beasts, birds and bugs
In 1988, ARTIS celebrated its 150th anniversary by opening the Planetarium and turning its gaze to the stars. The Geological Museum followed in 1992. ARTIS was already keen to highlight more and more aspects of nature, with the aim of becoming a garden for all aspects of life, from the Big Bang to beasts, birds and bugs.
ARTIS in the twenty-first century
Expansion and renewal
In 1989, ARTIS received permission to expand to the banks of the Entrepotdok. By the turn of the century, new enclosures, a restaurant and a service centre had been built there. Since then, ARTIS has been working on major renovations for the future that involve the creation of more room for animals and plants, education and heritage. The zoo will be renovated and made more sustainable in a series of phases.
In recent years, many of the 26 national monuments at ARTIS Zoo have been restored and modified. For example, Forest House (1908) has been converted into an indoor jungle. New enclosures have also been built for the Asian elephants (2017), red-faced spider monkeys (2018), yellow-cheeked gibbons (2021) and lions (2023). The heritage-listed Aquarium has been closed for major restoration works since 2021.
Artisplein and new museums
In 2014, Artisplein became open to the general public. Located on this square, ARTIS-Micropia opened its doors as the very first museum in the world devoted to microorganisms.After having been closed to the public for 75 years, the Groote Museum reopened in 2022 with an updated concept. This museum enables visitors to experience the connection between humans, animals, plants and microbes.
These are all important steps in the plans ARTIS has for the future, aimed at highlighting every aspect of nature in all its glory.
A place of connection
ARTIS in the 21st century is a place that unites people and nature. It is a place where young and old can make use of all the senses to learn. ARTIS is also working towards a sustainable future for our planet and everything that lives on it. In our world, the relationship between humans and nature is fragile. ARTIS hopes to stimulate love and care for nature, and this desire motivates ARTIS to keep innovating and evolving.
