Introduction
Rijksmuseum, the national museum of Netherlands,
set in its historic building, is the largest museum in the Netherlands.
This museum boasts of the largest art collection in The Netherlands,
featuring masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and
Jan Steen.
The Rijksmuseum is a museum of art and history
purposing to exhibit a representative survey of Dutch art and
history from the Middle Ages onward and important aspects of
European and Asiatic art for a national and international public.
The Rijksmuseum is internationally renowned for its exhibitions
and publications and not only are these high quality products,
but are also areas in which the museum extends the boundaries
of scholarship and encourages new insights.
This museum is considered as that treasure
of Netherlands that treasures in its selves great masterpieces
of the stalwarts of art.
The Rijksmuseum is one of the ten principal
museums in the world. Opened to the public for the first time
in 1800 as the Nationale Konstgallerij (National Art Gallery),
The museum was housed in the Huis ten Bosch in The Hague and
the collection consisted primarily of paintings. In 1808 it
moved to Amsterdam, where it was to be seen first in the Palace
on Dam Square and later in the Trippenhuis on Kloveniersburgwal.
The present building came into use in 1885.
At that point the Nederlandsch Museum voor Geschiedenis en Kunst
(Netherlands Museum for History and Art), formerly in The Hague,
was added to the Rijksmuseum, forming the basis for the collections
of Dutch History and Sculpture and Applied Art.
Widely acclaimed for its collection of paintings
from the Golden Age, the Rijksmuseum has far more to offer.
It is a museum of art and history without equal, with five different
collections under a single roof - painting, sculpture and decorative
arts, drawings, prints and photographs, Asiatic art, and Dutch
history.
Location
The museum is located on Museumplein and public
transport like tram 2, 5 can be taken from Central Station.
Schiphol Airport is 10.4 km away from this museum.
Opening Hours
General Museum -- Every Day, 10am - 5pm.
Study Collection
-- Painting/Decorative Arts Mon - Sat 1pm - 5pm
Study Library
/ Print Room -- Tues - Saturday 10am - 5pm (limited service
12.45 and 14.00)
Collections
The Rijksmuseum owes its international reputation
in the first place to the great Dutch painters of the seventeenth
century, many of whose masterpieces are in its possession. Public
interest, naturally, tends to focus on these works. However,
the rest of the collection is equally impressive.
The Collections include paintings from the Netherlands’s
17th century Golden Age by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals and
Jan Steen. Rembrandt's "Night Watch" is the museum's
centerpiece. You'll also find works from the middle Ages and
the 18th and 19th centuries, superb collections of silver and
delftware ceramics, old doll's houses and fantastic examples
of Asian Art.
Short List of masterpieces
Viewers should not miss the following time less pieces of art:
A Winter
Scene
The merry
Toper
At the Linen
Closet
The sick child
The sick lady
The love letter
Portrait of
a girl
The kitchen
maid
The merry
family
The night
watch
The pantry
Portrait of
Anna Codde
Portrait of
a married couple
Renovations
Since the origin of the museum constant renovations
have been made in the museum that have helped in the growth
of the museum. Over time many alterations to the original design
have been made. One renovation followed another in quick succession.
In 1906-1909 and 1913-1916 a new wing was added for the collection
of 19th-century art, which had grown substantially because of
the Drucker-Fräser bequest. It was known as the Drucker-Fräser
Extension and is now the South Wing. After the Second World
War the collection of the Friends of Asian Art was also kept
in the extension. In the 1950s and 1960s the two courtyards
were filled with exhibition rooms.
During the coming renovation the plan is to
remove these blocks, so that the courtyards will again have
light and space. The aims of this major renovation are to do
justice to Cuypers's original structure, to make daylight an
important factor once more and to create good logistical conditions.
The new Rijksmuseum will then be ready for the 21st-century
visitor.
Till 2008, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will
undergo the most sweeping modernisation, alteration and restoration
endeavour in its history. During these years, the museum will
remain partially open, featuring a spectacular exposition of
major works from the Golden Age, titled ‘The Masterpieces’
Activities
The Rijksmuseum is organizing various exhibitions
at home and abroad between 2004 and 2008. Moreover, parts of
the Rijksmuseum collection will be seen in 10 other museums
in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium from 2004.
Admission
prices
The entry charges are as follows:
Adults: EUR 7.90
City pass
holders: EUR 6.40.
Youths under
19: free;
Popular Hotels Nearby
Many popular hotels are available near this
museum. Tourists may check out the following popular hotels
for a better deal: Amsterdam
Renaissance Hotel, NH
Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam, Radisson
SAS Hotel Amsterdam are all located very close to the museum.
Jolly Carlton
Hotel, Sofitel
Amsterdam, Victoria
Hotel Amsterdam and Hotel
Toro Amsterdam can also be good choices. Tourists may be
pleased with the services of Ramada
Amsterdam Beethoven, Tulip
Inn Amsterdam Art, Hotel
Crystal located within walking distance. Also don’t
forget to check out Hotel
Di-Ann and VanOstade
Hotel Bicycle and Hotel
Manofa within easy reach.
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