DK Travel : Amsterdam : Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum

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The magnificent national museum of the Netherlands possesses nearly seven million works of art, only a fraction of which is on display. It was established by King Louis Napoleon in 1808 in the Royal Palace on the Dam, moving later to the Trippenhuis on Kloveniersburgwal. In 1865, the architect P J H Cuypers designed a new home near the Vondelpark; the Rijksmuseum opened in 1885. The main building is being renovated (until 2008) and only the Philips Wing is open.
Bear in mind that from late 2003, the museum will undergo a major and lengthy restoration More on Dutch Artists

Top 10 Works

1. St Elizabeth’s Day Flood

Look carefully at this pastoral scene, highlight of the museum’s Dutch History collection, and you will see that a tragedy is unfolding. Painted by an unknown artist in 1500, it recalls a disastrous flood of 1421, when some 20 villages were swept away by floodwater.
2. The Night Watch

The museum’s most prized possession isThe Military Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq – otherwise known asThe Night Watch (1642), given pride of place at the head of the Gallery of Honour (see Rembrandt and The Night Watch).
3. The Jewish Bride

In creating one of the most tender double portraits ever painted (1667), Rembrandt depicted – in an unusually free style – an unknown couple in the guise of biblical characters Isaac and Rebecca.
4. The Milkmaid

The sense of realism in this magical painting by Vermeer (c.1658) is conveyed by his mastery of light, colour and perspective. Seen slightly from below against a bare wall, the simple, sturdy girl seems almost tangible – quiet and still, but for the milk flowing from her jug.
5. Gallant Conversation

In the 17th century, paintings of everyday scenes, called genre paintings, became very popular. In this one, by Gerard Ter Borch (1655), a scruffy dog, a candle and a bed convey sexual meaning, and the man appears to hold up a coin.
6. The Windmill at Wijk

In this impressive painting (1670) by Jacob van Ruisdael, a calm scene becomes a dramatic picture, full of excitement.
7. Winter Landscape with Skaters

Dutch landscape artist Hendrick Avercamp specialized in winter scenes packed with delightful detail, such as this one painted in 1608. The longer you gaze at it, the more you notice.
8. Delftware

Rijksmuseum has a superb collection of Delftware, including an astonishing pyramid vase (c. 1700) more than 1 m (3.2 ft) high, with spouts for displaying highly-prized tulips.
9. Dolls House of Petronella Oortman

An exquisitely detailed 17th-century miniature Dutch house, belonging not to a child but an adult.
10. Portrait of Woman in Turkish Costume

Swiss-born Jean-Etienne Liotard was a portrait artist who used pastels with great skill. After a spell living in Istanbul, he dressed as a Turk, and he liked to array his sitters in Turkish costume as well – as in this subtle and delicate painting of 1745.

Practical Information

The museum’s dull self-service restaurant is by the right-hand front entrance hall. You might prefer to head for Indonesian Sama Sebo, on P. C. Hoofstraat, or Café Americain (see American Hotel). Be prepared: this is a difficult museum to get to grips with in a single visit. In 2003 the main building closed for major restoration, during which the Philips Wing has remained open where the museum’s finest works can be seen. Work should be completed in 2008. Stadhouderskade 42/Hobbemastraat 19 (Philips Wing entrance: Jan Luÿkenstr. 1) 020 674 7000 www.rijksmuseum.nl Open 9am–6pm; closed Jan 1. Garden open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, 1–5pm Sun Admission €9 (under 19s free); garden free