Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rijksmuseum
The magnificent national museum of the Netherlands possesses nearly seven
million works of art, only a fraction of which is on display. It was established
by King Louis Napoleon in 1808 in the Royal Palace on the Dam, moving
later to the Trippenhuis on Kloveniersburgwal. In 18
6
5, the architect
P J H Cuypers designed a new home near the Vondelpark; the
Rijksmuseum opened in 1885. The main building is being
renovated (until 2008) and only the Philips Wing is open.
3
Key
4
56
7
Basement
Ground floor
First floor
2
Façade of the
Rijksmuseum
St Elizabeth's Day Flood
Look carefully at this pastoral
scene, highlight of the museum's
Dutch History collection, and you
will see that a tragedy is
unfolding. Painted by an
unknown artist in 1500, it
recalls a disastrous flood of
1421, when some 20 villages
were swept away by floodwater.
The museum's dull
self-service restaurant
is by the right-hand
front entrance hall.
You might prefer to
head for Indonesian
Sama Sebo,on P.C.
Hoofstraat,or Café
Americain
(see p101)
.
The Night Watch
The museum's most prized
possession is
The Military Company
of Captain Frans Banning Cocq
-
otherwise known as
The Night
Watch
(1642), given pride of
place at the head of the
Gallery of Honour
(see p15)
.
Be prepared:this is a
difficult museum to
get to grips with in a
single visit.To make
matters worse,in
late 2003,the main
building closed for
restoration,during
which the Philips
Wing will stay open,
showing a selection
of works.Until then,
works of art are liable
to move around.
1
The Jewish Bride
In creating one of the most
tender double portraits ever painted
(1667), Rembrandt depicted - in an
unusually free style - an unknown
couple in the guise of biblical
characters Isaac and Rebecca.
The Milkmaid
The sense of realism
in this magical painting
by Vermeer (c.1658) is
conveyed by his mastery
of light, colour and
perspective. Seen slightly
from below against a
bare wall, the simple,
sturdy girl seems almost
tangible - quiet and still,
but for the milk flowing
from her jug
(left)
.
•
Stadhouderskade
42/Hobbemastraat 19
•
Map D5
• 020 674 7000
•
www.rijksmuseum.nl
• Open 9am-6pm;
closed Jan 1. Garden
open 10am-5pm
Tue-Sat, 1-5pm Sun
• Admission €9
(under 19s free);
garden free
12
Bear in mind that from late 2003, the museum will undergo a
major and lengthy restoration
See panel above
