Het Blauwe Huis (The Blue House), Zaandam

In 1871, a young Claude Monet spent several months in Zaandam with his family, during which he created 25 paintings. Among them was "The Blue House" on the Hogendijk, notable for its striking blue color. For years, Monet's time in Zaandam was relatively unknown until local residents Jacob Reitsma, Bas Husslage, and Martijn Couwenhoven established the 'Monet in Zaandam' foundation in 2010. Six years later, their efforts led to the opening of the Monet Atelier in the former 'air house' on the Zaan, showcasing 25 replicas of Monet's Zaandam works, primarily landscapes featuring windmills and sailing ships. "The Blue House" stands out, especially since it includes Monet's wife Camille and son Jean.

The color of "The Blue House" sparked much debate. Was the house actually blue in 1871, or did Monet take some artistic liberties? After all, Zaandam is more commonly associated with its typical green Zaanse houses. Various theories emerged, including one suggesting that the house may have originally been painted in Bremer green, which had "blued" over time due to weathering.

However, after thorough research by paint expert Frits Schuster, who is also a volunteer at the Monet Atelier, it was confirmed that the house had indeed been blue. In 2014, the national monument from 1724 was repainted blue, but the story didn't end there. The chosen shade of blue was met with dissatisfaction, leading to further investigation. The Blue House was repainted in a blue with a slightly greener tint.