Everything You Need to Know About the Rijksmuseum, A Must-Visit Destination for Art Lovers
The Rijksmuseum is the largest art museum in the Netherlands and is dedicated to Dutch arts and history. It is over 200 years old and currently displays over 8000 objects, with some of them dating back to the early 13th century. The museum features works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, Franz Hals, Bartholomeus van der Helst, and many more.
Rijksmuseum Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Rijsks Musem which translates to National Museum
- Location: Museumstraat 1 Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Date of Opening: 19 November 1798
- Entrances: 1
- Number of Visitors Per Year: Over 6 lakhs
- Collection Size: 1 million objects, of which 8000 are on display
- Famous Paintings: Portrait of a Young Couple by Frans Hals, The Night Watch Rembrandt, The Threatened Swan by Jan Asselijn, The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer, Self-Portrait by Van Gogh
- Note: The Rijksmuseum features the largest art library in the Netherlands. The museum is built on about 800 wooden piles, like most other large buildings in Amsterdam.
Plan Your Visit to Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
Address: Museumstraat 1 1071 XX Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum is located in Amsterdam’s museum quarter in the southern borough of the city, making it easily accessible by bus, train, and metro.
Nearest Landmarks: Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt Experience, Diamant Museum
Museum Timings
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Shop Timings
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Duration of Visit: Ideally 4 to 5 hours to explore all their collections
Rijksmuseum Paintings Collection
The Rijksmuseum houses an extensive collection of Dutch art from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Visitors can see works by famous Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. The artworks are spread across multiple galleries at the Rijksmuseum.
The Milkmaid
Renowned throughout history, this oil-on-canvas by Johannes Vermeer features a domestic kitchen maid who is making dairy products. Featuring intensely saturated blue and yellow tones, the painting shows the artist’s beautiful handling of natural light.
The Little Street
This painting by Johannes Vermeer depicts a quiet street during the yesteryears of the Dutch Golden Era. It features straight angles, showing house rooftops alternating with the sky. The walls, brickwork, and stones are painted with a thicker layer, making it appear almost palpable.
Woman Reading a Letter
Vermeer's Woman Reading a Letter captures the nuances of everyday Dutch life in his art. It portrays a young woman sitting at a table, intently poring over a letter. Her expression of pensive contemplation makes one wonder about the contents of that letter!
The Night Watch
One of the most famous paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, The Night Watch by Rembrandt is highly regarded due to its massive size, the depiction of the perception of motion, and the dramatic use of shadows and light.
The Jewish Bride
In this painting, Rembrandt depicts a man bestowing a necklace upon a woman. The painting was named in the 19th century, when an art collector identified the subject as a father bestowing a necklace upon his daughter at her wedding.
Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild
The last great collective portrait by Rembrandt features six men elected to assess the quality of cloth sold by weavers to the drapers’ guild. The men are seen appraising a Persian-style cloth while referring to a swatch book.
Marriage Portrait of Isaac Massa and Beatrix van der Laen
The painting by Frans Hals depicts a happy couple sitting against a tree, with a garden in the background. As the name suggests, the subjects of the painting are Isaac Massa, a Dutch grain trader and traveler, and his bride.
The Merry Drinker
In this painting, Frans Hals depicts a man wearing a floppy hat, a leather jerkin, and a lace collar. He has a glass of white wine in his left hand and is seen wearing a neck chain, with a medallion. This oil on canvas is a genre piece.
Meager Company
The painting was commissioned in 1633 after Frans Hals’ previous militia portrait was well received. The painting depicts sergeants holding halberds, and officers holding spontoons. Hals did not fully finish the piece. It was completed by Pieter Codde.
The Merry Family
The Dutch artist Jan Steen painted The Merry Family in the 17th century, portraying a humorous scene of a large family enjoying themselves at a table. The bright colors bring forth the family’s antics and fun-loving nature to the fore.
Cimon and Pero
Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens painted an old myth of an aged man, Cimon, who was sentenced to die of starvation. His daughter, Pero, sneaked in and resolved to nurse him from her own breast. Rubens draws them in classical styles with rich colors.
Marten and Oopjen
Marten and Oopjen, painted by Rembrandt van Rijn, showcases the artist's mastery of capturing rich details and luminous textures. This iconic portrait pair exudes a timeless allure, embodying the essence of Dutch Golden Age portraiture.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum is one of the most popular art museums in the Netherlands, showcasing over 8000 objects dating from the Dutch Golden Era to the 20th century.
Yes, you need to purchase tickets to enter the Rijksmuseum. You can purchase Rijksmuseum tickets online to ensure a hassle-free experience.
Yes, you can purchase Rijksmuseum tickets online to enjoy skip-the-line access, the best discounts, and combo offers.
The Rijksmuseum is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. The shop and gardens are open until 6 PM. It is open throughout the year.
The best time to visit the Rijksmuseum is early in the morning on a weekday. The temperatures are pleasant and there are comparatively lesser crowds.
The Rijksmuseum is located in the southern borough of Amsterdam. It is situated on Museumstraat 1 1071 XX Amsterdam.
The Rijksmuseum is famous for housing paintings by some of the most famous artists in history, such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, De Hooch, and more.
The Rijksmuseum is nearly 225 years old, having been established in 1798 in The Hague. It was then moved to Amsterdam in 1808.
You can find paintings and works of art from numerous eras inside the Rijksmuseum, including famous ones like the Night Watch, Woman Reading a Letter, and the Merry Family. They also organize guided tours, workshops, and lectures to educate the public about the Dutch Golden Era. They also have sections featuring artworks from different regions across the world.
There are over 8000 artworks on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. This includes sculptures, paintings, furniture, applied arts, and ship models and weapons.
