We had waited for this day for a while. In fact almost eight years from the first time we had visited this marvelous city of museums. Amsterdam, the museum capital of the world with the largest numbers of museums per capita. And we have been privileged to be invited to some of the most sought after of them all. Today we were excited to be heading yet again to Museumstraat after our Van Gogh Museum visit couple of years back. This time to Rijksmuseum where Dutch arts and history would take you back ages and fascinate you.
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch arts and history. It is located at the Museumplein close to the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Concertgebouw. The Rijksmuseum was founded in The Hague in 1798 and moved to Amsterdam in 1808, where it was first located in the Royal Palace and later in the Trippenhuis. The current building was designed by Pierre Cuypers and opened in 1885.
It is the most visited museum in the Netherlands and is also the largest art museum in the country. The museum has on display 8,000 objects of art and history, from their total collection of 1 million objects from the years 1100–2000. Among these are some masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals Johannes, Vermeer and Van Gogh. The museum also has a small Asian collection which is on display in the Asian pavilion.
A Note of Thanks
Before we take you around this fascinating museum we would love to first thank Mineke van Maurik of Rijksmuseum Press Office for extending press privileges to us at Travelwisesr and welcoming us to the museum.
Also would love to thank the handsome Gentleman securing the private elevator at the entrance. He ushered us in with a smile after checking the invite thus helping us to avoid the long queue. Try and start your visit early to get the best out of your day and book your entry tickets online in advance because Rijksmuseum is always full of visitors.
We did start real early after our breakfast as we stayed on our last two days this time at Ramada by Wyndham, Amsterdam Schiphol after being back from Eindhoven. A bus drop from the hotel to the airport, a train to Amsterdam Central followed by a short tram ride and then this lovely five minutes walk and we were there as a very slight drizzle refreshed us.
A lovely Amsterdam morning
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
We start with the majestic O Floor
The Cuypers Library
The Cuypers Library is the oldest and largest art historical library in the Netherlands. Art historians, students and visitors are welcome to use the library and delve deeper into the Rijksmuseum collection. iPads are available for general use and WiFi access as well.
Rijksmuseum Collections
The three top floors are divided based on the period starting from 1100-1600 and onwards. We started from Floor 2, went up to 3 and then came down to 1 and finished off with Hall of Fame exhibits.
The period from 1600 onwards saw the rise of some outstanding Dutch painters and artists including Rembrandt, De Hooch, Vermeer, Jan Steen, Johannes Cornelisz Verpronck & Van Gogh. You’ll come across some amazing paintings of Rembrandt on this Floor 2 including his self portrait and the famous “The Jewish Bride(1665)”.
Rijksmuseum – A Photo Journey
As we take you up and down the stairs today, our endeavor is to provide you with a feel of what to expect And with us today you would experience probably just the tip of the iceberg compared to what you would get to explore when you are here personally.
Apart from the collection of masterpiece paintings you will also witness blue and white delft pottery, artefacts, sculptures, arms and ammunition and artworks from India, China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam spread out over different floors. So come let’s go.
Around 1600, no one could have foreseen the war between the Dutch Republic and Spain. And that it would lead to division of the northern and southern Netherlands. Although the northern region which is now The Netherlands became an independent country, it shared with the southern region which is now Belgium the same culture.
The magical Rembrandt
Tobit & Anna’s story – Tobit a devout man loses his sight and wealth while his wife Anna works to support the family as God tests them. Their son Tobias embarks on a journey to restore his parent’s fortune. And he is blessed to be guided by the angel Raphael. Tobias eventually finds the lost money, marries a rich wife and with Raphael’s help cures his father’s blindness with the bile of a fish.
The story of Tobit and Anna has been a popular subject for artists. And Rembrandt painted several episodes on it. Here is one where Tobit meets Anna as she comes home with their kid happy at the reward for her hard work. Instead Tobit suspects she has stolen his money. And prays to God to grant him a quick death as Anna looks on in bewilderment.
Many more stories that you would discover when here as our art and history journey continues..
Vincent van Gogh & his creations
An Art Workshop in progress..
As art & history kept us enthralled
The last 2 stops
At the end of a long day at Rijksmuseum or a break in between as you hop across floors, these are two spots you just can’t forget to make it your own. The Het Café, where you can enjoy a delicious coffee or tea with a wide selection of pastries or a cool drink. There is also an extensive lunch menu with the recommended lunch dish ‘Still life’: a salsify soup & rye ball with Gouda cheese. And they do serve drinks as well.
Rijksmuseum Shop is the next stop you must head to if you love to keep your best moments alive. You will find gifts inspired by masterpieces of Vermeer and Rembrandt, Delftware in classical and modern designs, books on fine arts, history, photography and much more. And if you do not wish to carry back all you liked, you could Order Online on Rijksmuseum Shop and get it delivered to your home.
While planning your visit do keep a day at least to get a good feel of this amazing museum. But for the art connoisseur and history buff even a week may not be enough. For us it was worth the wait for a few years as the experience at Rijksmuseum was absolutely fascinating.
If you loved visiting Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, PIN it for planning & forward for friends!
