Sandrina Louisa Geertruida (Louisa) Holthuysen (1824-1895) was a Dutch art collector. Louisa was the only child of Pieter Gerard Holthuysen, a fortunate merchant, and Sandrina Louisa Lepeltak. The family travelled across Europe every year. In 1855, the Holthuysens bought the Herengracht 605 property. Louisa inherited the house after the death of her parents. In 1861, she married Abraham Willet, both aged 36 but on a prenuptial agreement. Louisa kept full control over her property. She gave her husband an allowance of 4,000 guilders a year. 

The couple enjoyed art, theatre, and music. Louisa built an art collection with works by contemporary French and Dutch masters. After Abraham's death in 1888, Louisa remained childless. She left her house, contents, and art collection to Amsterdam, with the condition that it become a museum bearing their names. 

The Willet-Holthuysen House, the double mansion on Herengracht, is furnished with several period rooms. The rooms still look as they used to with a French-style garden. Every six months, it also hosts an exhibition by a contemporary maker.

Want to see more special stories and tributes or make your own tribute to a woman who has meant something to the city of Amsterdam? Then click the button below!