Muscles, status and being tough—but also emotion, style and vulnerability? In the exhibition Am I Masculine?, you discover how male expression has been shaped, passed on and challenged through the centuries. From marble gods from ancient times to today’s fashion icons, and from Saint Sebastian to a Gucci cap: what does masculinity mean today?
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Masculinity out in the open
In patriarchal societies, masculinity is often shaped into a narrow and fixed ideal. But this image is not constant: lace, pink, and high heels were once seen as very masculine—but that has changed over time. The exhibition shows that masculinity is not a natural law, but a cultural idea.
Am I Masculine? is curated by guest curator Roberto Luis Martins, who translates his personal search for masculinity into an exhibition where classical ideals, personal stories and modern expressions enter into dialogue. Through fashion, visual art, music, video and sound, the exhibition invites you to look beyond Western stereotypes and discover the many faces of masculinity. Because maybe masculinity is not something you are or have—but something that can be re-invented again and again. Visitors are encouraged to let go of fixed ideas and explore what masculinity can be.
Jan Sluijters, The boxer Rolf, 1918, Het Noordbrabants Museum
A journey in five chapters
The exhibition is designed by interdisciplinary creative studio Maison the Faux, who guide visitors through five themes. Each chapter is a world of its own, offering a new perspective on masculinity. The graphic design is by Dana Dijkgraaf.
The Body
The TikTok trend "Greek Body" shows how classical ideas of masculinity still live in our collective memory. Muscular bodies are still seen as the ideal male form, influenced by figures like Andrew Tate. But where does that ideal come from? From ancient statues of Apollo and Hercules to modern paintings and gym selfies, this room shows how the male body has been shaped, imagined, and passed on through the centuries—from an interhistorical point of view.
The Dresscode
"Clothes make the man," the saying goes. But who decides what that means? In The Dresscode, historical and modern clothing pieces show how fashion and appearance help shape the image of masculinity. From suits of armor to velvet robes and flashy Gucci caps—you’ll discover what clothes can tell us about the time they were worn in.
The Tear
Vulnerability is often seen as something that doesn't belong to masculinity. But The Tear explores the strength of emotion. Can you cry and still be strong? For this room, exhibition designer Maison the Faux created a poetic, immersive installation—a space full of senses where film clips act as mirrors for male emotion.
The Disruption
Time to shake up the classic image of masculinity. In The Disruption, artists, thinkers, and communities show that masculinity comes in many forms—and that things can be different or better. Costumes by Khareem Wielingen, European Father of the ballroom house House of Bodega, open new perspectives. Artist Bart Hess introduces a whole new martial art with his installation SweetMeat.
The Liberation
The final stop is The Liberation—a space filled with freedom and personal stories. It shows male expression in fashion, film, and photography. Fashion designer Tess van Zalinge breaks the rules of the classic men’s suit. Photographer Bete van Meeuwen shares an intimate portrait of Bappie, a trans man, and Kay, who is non-binary. Fashion label Daily Paper presents a sculptural response to masculinity from a female point of view.
Henriëtte Pessers, Study of a Reclining Male Nude, 1930–1939, Het Noordbrabants Museum
Why now
At a time when traditional ideals of masculinity are gaining ground again—through social media and the so-called "manosphere"—Am I Masculine? creates space for nuance and imagination. The exhibition shows that masculinity is not fixed, but a constantly changing mix of culture, context, and personal experience.
By combining the historical collection of Het Noordbrabants Museum with fashion, art, photography, and personal stories, the exhibition opens up a conversation about identity, representation, and equality.
