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Your guide to the upcoming exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is a treasure trove of Dutch art and history, spanning from the Middle Ages to the modern era. Beyond its renowned permanent collection, the museum hosts a wide range of temporary exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing both classic masterpieces and contemporary works. Here’s everything you need to know about the exhibitions you won’t want to miss.

Why should visit an exhibition at the Rijksmuseum?

Tour guide explaining Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" to visitors at the Rijksmuseum.
  • Witness iconic masterpieces: Rijksmuseum exhibitions bring you face-to-face with legendary works by Titian, Caravaggio, Willem de Kooning, Carel Visser, and other international masters. Many of these artists have unique styles, giving you the chance to discover hidden gems alongside world-famous paintings.
  • Experience rare and exclusive collections: Many exhibits showcase pieces rarely seen anywhere else, offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to admire prints, drawings, sculptures, and historical artifacts up close.
  • Explore diverse perspectives: From bold contemporary photography to fashion, sculpture, and prints, the Rijksmuseum exhibitions offer something for every art lover, history enthusiast, and curious mind.
  • Learn from the experts: What’s more, most exhibitions include curated narratives and behind-the-scenes stories that reveal the artists’ techniques and creative journeys, turning your visit into a rich, immersive experience.

Upcoming Rijksmuseum exhibitions

Metamorphoses

A major spring exhibition exploring how artists have been inspired by Metamorphoses, the ancient text by Ovid, bringing together over 80 masterpieces from collections worldwide by artists such as Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rodin, and Brancusi.

  • Date: 6 February – 25 May 2026
  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: No 

FAKE!

This exhibition traces the history of photographic image manipulation from the earliest experiments in photography up to the Second World War, showing over 50 historical photographic works and early techniques used to alter images.

  • Date: 6 February – 25 May 2026
  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: No

Carel Visser in the Rijksmuseum Gardens

The annual sculpture exhibition in the Rijksmuseum Gardens is dedicated in 2026 to Dutch sculptor Carel Visser, featuring over fifteen works from museums, private collections, and public spaces, highlighting his development and influence.

  • Date: 5 June – 25 October 2026
  • Timings: During garden visiting hours, typically aligned with museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: Yes

Ed van der Elsken

A summer exhibition offering insight into the life and work of Dutch photographer Ed van der Elsken, with well-known and rarely seen photographs, notes, and film clips from his archive illustrating his pioneering approach to street photography.

  • Date: 19 June – 13 September 2026
  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: No 

Willem de Kooning at Work

An autumn exhibition focusing on the creative process of Willem de Kooning, featuring around 120 works, including drawings, paintings, and sculptures that trace his artistic evolution from the Netherlands to New York and his role in Abstract Expressionism.

  • Date: 9 October 2026 – 17 January 2027
  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: No

Operation Night Watch

An ongoing conservation project where audiences can observe the restoration of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch as the restoration team works behind glass in the Night Watch Gallery.

  • Date: Ongoing throughout 2026
  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: Yes 

Other exhibitions to explore

Rijksmuseum's Print Cabinets

The Rijksmuseum’s print cabinets showcase highlights from one of the world’s largest collections of prints and drawings. Works on paper are rotated regularly, presenting new themes and stories spanning centuries of artistic practice.

  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: Yes 

Asian Pavilion

The Asian Pavilion houses a rich selection of art from China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, and beyond, with rotating displays that highlight cross‑cultural connections and the diversity of Asian art.

  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: Yes

20th Century Galleries

The 20th Century Galleries present artwork, design, photography, and historical objects that reflect cultural and social changes from 1900 to 2000, with new spotlight displays introduced regularly.

  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: Yes

Suit Yourself | 100 Years of Menswear, 1750–1850

A focused historical fashion exhibition featuring the elegant and flamboyant menswear of the 18th and 19th centuries, showcasing richly detailed garments and exploring cultural influences on male attire.

  • Timings: During standard museum opening hours
  • Included with admission: No

Frequently asked questions about Rijksmuseum exhibitions

Most special exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum require a separate ticket on top of your regular museum entry. A standard ticket alone usually won’t get you in.