With a total collection of 1 million art objects, Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands is one of the most famous art museums in the world. It’s a must-visit attraction in Amsterdam, with over 2 million visitors every year. Rijksmuseum is the national Dutch national museum and houses 8000 objects in 80 galleries that tell the story of 800 years.
You can find the rich artistic history of the Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum features the works of Dutch masters, including Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer. Some of the world-famous artworks such as the Night Watch, The Milk Maid, and The Threatened Swan are on display at Rijksmuseum.
Why Visit Rijksmuseum Amsterdam?
The original collection of the Rijksmuseum contains nearly a million artworks. The current display, however, is limited to 8000 objects, dating to the 800-year history of the Dutch art scene. You can find the artworks in 80 galleries. Rijksmuseum is Netherlands’ largest art museum, with 2.5 million people visiting every year. It’s one of the prime tourist destinations in Amsterdam.
Exploring the Rijksmuseum in full is not an easy task. You might need weeks to visit all the art pieces on display. Rijksmuseum allows visitors to explore the rich history of the Netherlands up close. The artworks on display are from the years 1200-2000. The highlights of the collection: The Milk Maid by Johannes Vermeer, Gallery of Honour, Self-portrait of Rembrandt, The Great Hall, Self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh, The Night Watch by Rembrandt, and Cuypers library.
Rijksmuseum also conducts regular exhibitions. The exhibitions feature the collections at Rijksmuseum and international loans. You can also find guided tours, family games, workshops, and theatre programs during your visit to Rijksmuseum. Operation Night Watch, a unique restoration program that uses technology to restore Rembrandt’s masterpiece Night Watch is now live at the museum and open to the public. Art lovers can watch restoration works live at the museum.
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Tickets
Looking to visit the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam? Grab your Rijksmuseum tickets here.
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam: Backstory
The Rijksmuseum came into being in 1795 when Dutch rulers got inspired by the Louvre Museum in Paris. It was founded in the Hague in 1798. In 1808, Rijksmuseum relocated to Amsterdam Royal Palace, and later to the Trippenhuis mansion. The current building was first opened in 1885.
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The Rijksmuseum was designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. The current building opened to the public in 1885. The basic structure of the building consists of two squares. On the central axis is a tunnel that serves as an entrance on the ground floor and the Gallery of Honour on the first floor. Each square gets an atrium in the middle.
The Rijksmuseum collection includes 1 million artworks. The period to which most artworks belong is from the years 1200 to 2000. Currently, about 8,000 art pieces are on display. The massive collection includes 2000 paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. Works of noted Dutch artists such as Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt are on display.
Rijksmuseum is a top tourism draw in Amsterdam. The museum is visited by around 2.5 million tourists every year, and it's the national art museum in the Netherlands. Rijksmuseum also holds the record of being the largest museum in the country.
Rijksmusuem: Location & Opening Hours
Opening Hours
Rijksmuseum is open every day of the week for sightseeing.- 9 AM - 5 PM
Getting To Rijksmuseum
The museum is within walking distance from the Museumplein tram stop. As the Rijksmuseum collection is vast, it's impossible to see all the artworks in a day.
Top Things to See inside Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
The Great Hall is an unmissable attraction of the Rijksmuseum. The vast space showcases large wall paintings. The ceiling is adorned with Dutch-style drawings with incredible detail. The Great Hall and the Gallery of Honour are two vital elements in the design of the Rijksmuseum building. The Great Hall opens to the Gallery of Honour, where you can find some well-known paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.
The Still Life is the painting style that consists of painting everyday life. The still life style began in the Middle Ages, found in the Netherlands during the 16th and 17th centuries. It is the ideal way to understand the lives of ordinary people in the 17th century during the Golden Ages of Dutch art.
Johannes Vermeer is regarded as one of the greatest Dutch painters. He was a Baroque-style painter who specialized in interiors. Two iconic Vermeer paintings on display at Rijksmuseum are "The Milkmaid" and "The Woman in Blue Reading a Letter."
Rijksmuseum houses two remarkable art pieces by Dutch master Jan Havickszoon Steen. The painting, The Merry Family, is oil on canvas. The artwork from 1668 shows a family gathering. The family comprises a father, mother, grandmother, and children. It's considered a striking symbol of Dutch art of the Golden period.
Rembrandt is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. The Rijksmuseum houses some of the most valuable and historically important works of Rembrandt. Pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit is a masterpiece Rembrandt created in 1634.
The Night Watch has the distinction of being the first painting to portray the entire militia in action. The painting shows a captain giving his lieutenant orders to march the company of soldiers. The Night Watch was particularly noted for its use of lighting and vivid details, such as a girl in the background.
Rijksmuseum Library is officially known as Cuypers Library. It is the largest and oldest of all art-historical libraries in the Netherlands. You can dive deeper into every art piece on display using the documents and books in this library.
Delft Blue is the unique blue and white colour Dutch porcelain. The 17th-century products are a symbol of heritage and pride in the Netherlands. There are scores of Delft Blue objects on display in Room 2.22. Most of these iconic works are unattributed and carry impeccable design elements.
How To See The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam In Under 2 Hours
Rijksmuseum collections are arranged in three levels inside the building. You can explore the masterpieces at level 2. Enter the Great Hall and walk across the Gallery of Honour to admire the beauty of Rembrandt's spectacular canvas, Night Watch. You can also catch a glimpse of treasures such as Dolls' Houses, Self-portrait of Rembrandt, and Delft Blue porcelain on the same floor. Watch world-famous paintings, Little Street and The Milkmaid, by Johannes Vermeer in the Gallery of Honour. Explore level 1 to see the self-portrait of celebrated Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. Some of the notable artworks on display at the Gallery of Honour: The Threatened Swan, Woman Reading a Letter, Still Life paintings, Portrait of a Couple.
Insider Tips About Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
- The entry to the Rijksmuseum is limited by time slots. You need to book tickets in advance to explore the museum.
- Rijksmuseum is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Netherlands; to avoid crowds, plan your visit earlier in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Expect crowds from 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM; avoid booking slots at this time.
- Try to watch Rembrandt's masterpiece Night Watch as soon as you arrive.
- Look out for the green shade on the floor map, you will find it quiet and less crowded.
Where Can I Eat Near Rijksmuseum?
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