Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RIJKSMUSEUM
TOUR
At Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum (“Rijks” sounds like “bikes”),
Holland's Golden Age shines with the best collection anywhere
of the Dutch Masters—from Vermeer's quiet domestic scenes,
to Steen's raucous family meals, to Hals' snapshot portraits, to
Rembrandt's moody brilliance.
The 17th century saw the Netherlands at the pinnacle of its
power. The Dutch had won their independence from Spain, trade
and shipping boomed, the wealth poured in, the people were under-
standably proud, and the arts flourished. For the Dutch, this was
their Golden Age. With no local church or
royalty to commission big canvases in the
Protestant Dutch republic, artists had to
find different patrons—the upper-middle-
class businessmen who fueled Holland 's
capitalist economy. Artists painted their
portraits and decorated their homes with
pretty still lifes and non-preachy, slice-of-
life art.
The main core of the Rijksmuseum
is closed until 2013 for a massive renova-
tion. Thankfully, the most famous master-
pieces—nearly everything on the typical
tourist's hit list—are on display in the wonderful and easy-on-the-
feet Philips Wing (southwest corner of the Rijks, the part of the
building nearest the Van Gogh Museum). This delightful exhibit
offers one of the most exciting and enjoyable art experiences in
Europe.
