The Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam National Museum) is one of the most famous museums in the Netherlands, located in Amsterdam.
It is renowned for its vast collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, historical artifacts, and decorative arts.
The collection of 8,000 pieces on display includes masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Vermeer.
Architecture
The current building, designed by Pierre Cuypers, opened in 1885 and features a mix of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.
The Rijksmuseum was declared a national heritage site in 1970.
After a 10-year renovation, the museum reopened in 2013, offering modern facilities while preserving its historic charm.
The museum is made up of two square spaces, one on the left and one on the right, with an atrium in the center of each space.
In the center of the building is a bicycle path called the Gallery Tunnel, which serves as a gateway connecting Museumplein and the old town.
Many Amsterdammers use the Gallery Tunnel on their bicycles during rush hour.
History
For 85 years, from when the first Rijksmuseum opened until the current Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam was built, artworks were moved around the country.
The Rijksmuseum was founded at the end of the 18th century.
When the Louvre opened in France in 1793, many tourists from all over Europe visited the museum.
The Rijksmuseum was founded with the aim of becoming a national museum like the Louvre.
The first Rijksmuseum opened in May 1800 with 200 paintings in the Huis ten Bosch Palace in Den Hague.
In 1805 the exhibition moved to the Buitenhof in Den Hague.
In 1806, the Netherlands came under Napoleon’s rule. By order of King Louis Bonaparte, the Rijksmuseum was moved to the Royal Palace in Amsterdam and supplemented with the collections owned by the city of Amsterdam.
After Napoleon was defeated, the Rijksmuseum was moved to the Trippenhuis (Royal Institute of Arts) in Amsterdam.
But the Trippenhaus was not suited to storing art.
For this reason, historical art objects have been moved to the Mauritshuis of the Royal Museums in Den Hague, and 19th-century paintings to the Museum in Haarlem.
the Rijksmuseum
Two design competitions were held to build the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, in 1863 and 1876.
The winner of the second competition was the Dutch architect P.J.H. Cuypers. Construction of the building he designed, which combined Gothic and Renaissance elements, began immediately.
The building’s sculptures and interior design were also selected through a design competition, so it took approximately nine years to complete the building.
After its completion, the Rijksmuseum brought together the art treasures that had been moved to other museums and opened on July 13, 1885.
Key Highlights & Collections
The Rijksmuseum is one of the largest museums in the Netherlands, attracting over 2.2 million visitors a year.
With a collection of over one million items, the Rijksmuseum has many of the best works of art to see in the Netherlands.
The museum houses masterpieces of Dutch Golden Age painting by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen.
“The Night Watch” by Rembrandt, One of the most famous paintings in the world, depicting a militia company in action.
“The Milkmaid” by Vermeer, A stunning example of Vermeer’s mastery of light and detail.
Asian Art Collection, Includes artifacts from China, Japan, and India.
Delftware & Historical Objects, Showcases traditional Dutch ceramics and historical objects, including ship models and weapons.
The Rijksmuseum is a must-visit for art and history lovers, offering a deep dive into Dutch heritage and European masterpieces.
Museum Tour in Amsterdam