UTRECHT.- The art world is mourning the loss of Marja Bosma, a beloved curator and a driving force at the Centraal Museum for over three decades. Bosma, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 69, was remembered by colleagues as a passionate and perceptive champion of both modern and contemporary art.

Bosma’s dedication to the Centraal Museum began long before her official tenure. Her connection to the institution dated back to 1981, when she was still a student of art history. She interned while preparing a retrospective on artist Charley Toorop, a figure she admired and would return to throughout her career. Following her internship, she contributed to the museum's first-ever solo show for Marlene Dumas, a testament to her early eye for significant artists. She also served for several years as editor-in-chief of the art history journal Jong Holland, further cementing her commitment to the field.

A "true connoisseur," Bosma’s impact on the museum was profound. She was celebrated for her ability to spot emerging talent, bringing artists like Nicole Eisenman and Carsten Höller to the Netherlands early in their careers. At the same time, she was deeply committed to the history of art, helping to enrich the museum's collection with major acquisitions from Dutch masters like Theo van Doesburg and the Utrecht painters Pyke Koch and Joop Moesman. She was especially known for her long and dedicated work on Charley Toorop, whom she brought to international attention with a major exhibition at the prestigious Musée d'art moderne de la Ville de Paris.

Bosma’s final exhibitions at the museum, "I am leaving" and "The spirit must blow," were a fitting farewell to her decades-long career. According to her colleague Carel Blotkamp, the show was a "memorable conclusion" that highlighted her personal connection to her work.

Beyond her professional achievements, friends remembered Bosma for her warmth and wit. She was an excellent writer, and her letters were known to be "sparkling," full of striking observations and stimulating ideas. She was a loyal friend, as comfortable discussing art history as she was watching a football match with wine and tapas. As Blotkamp wrote in a moving tribute, she leaves behind a legacy of "respect and gratitude."