Press release -

Iconic Peanut Butter Floor presented at the Depot of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Tribute to the late Dutch artist Wim T. Schippers 

Rotterdam - A tribute to artist, programme maker and voice actor Wim T. Schippers (1942–2026) is went on show today at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen’s Depot. ‘Dead. Can’t be helped.’ It was with this brief message that artist, programme maker and voice actor Wim T. Schippers (1942–2026) said his final goodbye. The wording of his death notice was entirely in keeping with his work: matter-of-fact, funny and with a sense of the absurd. If there is one work by Schippers that combines all these elements, it is his famous Peanut Butter Floor. Armed with buckets of peanut butter and plastering tools, two ‘peanut butter plasterers’ have installed a new version of this iconic artwork: 25m2 of hexagonal floor made of 390 kilos of peanut butter, on display to the public until 6 September 2026.

"We will greatly miss Wim T.’s idiosyncratic character, versatility, humour and ability to put things into perspective. He used art to make people think, but always had a light touch. His Peanut Butter Floor still raises questions like, is this art? Am I allowed to like this? And it is this sense of bewilderment that makes this piece so special. We regard it as a great honour to be able to present this unique artwork in his memory.'' - Sandra Kisters, acting director of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen 

Tribute
The museum is not only showing the Peanut Butter Floor, but also the most recent instructions for the piece which the artist drew up with the museum. According to Wim T. Schippers, it requires 15.6 kilos of smooth peanut butter (not chunky) per m2, no one should stand or lie on the peanut butter floor, the peanut butter should be applied as smoothly and monotonously as possible, and the work should not be approached with any educational purpose. Photographs will give visitors an idea of past incarnations of the piece here in the Netherlands and abroad. 

Peanut butter mail 
When an earlier version of the Peanut Butter Floor was shown in 2011, visitors were able to send video messages with questions for Wim T. Schippers. No fewer than 648 were sent. He answered all of them (some with his cat). Compilations of these unique question-and-answer sessions will be shown at the Depot. 

A peanut butter snack
Come and admire the Peanut Butter Floor this summer, and take the opportunity to enjoy some peanut butter yourself. Our restaurant Renilde will have a peanut butter sandwich on the menu throughout the summer – ideal for refuelling before or after your visit. 

Peanut and nut allergies
The Peanut Butter Floor might potentially cause an allergic response in people with a peanut allergy. Although there is only a small risk of serious symptoms, the possibility cannot be ruled out. Visitors who have had a serious allergic response to peanuts in the past are advised not to enter the space, as a precaution. 

Acknowledgements
The peanut butter for the artwork was donated by Calvé, to whom we express our sincere gratitude. This was also Wim T. Schippers’ preferred brand. ‘Because it spreads so nicely’, as he himself put it.