Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam, Netherlands: State Art Museum:
History, Permanent Collection.
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Rijksmuseum |
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Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam)Contents • Introduction
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Founded in 1800, the Rijksmuseum (State Museum) of Amsterdam is the Netherlands National Museum, specializing in arts and crafts. One of the top art museums in Europe, it houses the world's most important collection of Dutch painting, and features some of the greatest masterpieces from the Dutch Realist Golden Age of the 17th century, including works by Dutch realist artists like Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Vermeer and Frans Hals. In addition, it has a wide range of graphic art and a large collection of Asian art. Location The Rijksmuseum occupies a historic building on the Museumplein in Amsterdam, close by the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, and the Concertgebouw. It is the largest museum of fine art in Holland, with the largest permanent collection (managed by 45 curators) and a total staff of around 400. Each year, the Rijksmuseum receives more than a million visitors. Also part of the complex, is the Rijksmuseum Research Library, which is the largest public art history research library in the The Netherlands. (See also the Mauritshuis, the Dutch gallery in The Hague.) |
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Renovation Since late 2003, the Rijksmuseum has undergone a major renovation and restoration. However, some parts of the museum remain open to the public. The Rijksmuseum's Philips Wing currently hosts "The Masterpieces" an exhibition which showcases over 400 of the greatest works of art in the museum collection. The renovation continues until 2010: the building is being restored according to designs presented by Spanish architects Antonio Cruz and Antonio Ortiz. |
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The Rijksmuseum holds numerous masterpieces by the greatest Dutch painters. Most are currently on display in "The Masterpieces" exhibition in the Philip's Wing. The highlights of the museum's permanent collection include the following: Rembrandt
(1606-69) Jan
Vermeer (1632-75) Frans
Hals (1582-1666) Jan
Steen (1625-79) Other Famous Artists: Dutch Realism School Other 17th century painters represented in the collection, include: Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634), Salomon van Ruysdael (1602-70), Aert van der Neer (1603-77), Adriaen van Ostade (1610-85), William van de Velde the Elder (1611-93), Ferdinand Bol (1616-80), Carel Fabritius (1622-54), Samuel van Hoogstraten (1627-78), Jacob van Ruisdael (1628-82), Pieter de Hooch (1629-83), Meyndert Hobbema (1638-1709), and Jan van Huysum (1682-1749), to name but a few.
Other Artworks Although especially strong in 17th century paintings of the Dutch Golden Age, the Rijksmuseum also holds significant collections of western European painting and sculpture, as well as oriental art. Its decorative art holdings feature its famous doll’s houses, ceramics including its exquisite collection of Delftware and a magnificent selection of 17th century silverware. |
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Rijksprentenkabinet (Print Room) The museum's print room has one of Europe's best collections of prints, drawings and other graphic art, including rare illuminated manuscripts. History of the Rijksmuseum The museum's art collection - comprising over 200 paintings and other decorative objects - opened to the public in 1800 in Huis Ten Bosch, The Hague. The museum was then known as the National Art Gallery (Nationale Kunst-Gallerij). In 1808, on the orders of king Louis Napoleon, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, the museum moved to Amsterdam acquiring the city's own art collection in the process. The current building, designed by architect Pierre Cuypers, has been in use since 1885, although a number of significant alterations and additions have been made to the structure. Opening Hours Rijksmuseum, The Masterpieces Library, Print Room and Reading Room Further Information Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Tel. +31 (0)20 6747047 |
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• For more information about the world's greatest art museums, see: Art Encyclopedia.
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