The Rijksmuseum is among Amsterdam's most famous and well-known museums. Its large collection includes jaw-dropping artworks and several artifacts representing more than eight centuries of Dutch and world history.
The Rijksmuseum is a marvel in and of itself. The exhibit is in a beautiful structure with great interior architecture right in the center of the city.
Most Popular Artwork On Display At Rijkmuseum
With so many masterpieces and exhibits on show, seeing the entire museum will take several days, if not longer. The collection includes artworks by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and many other classics painted by illustrious historic personalities.
The museum also features work by lesser-known artists, which had a significant impact on Dutch and European culture.
The Night Watch By Rembrandt
It is the most well-known work of Rembrandt, which represents a significant milestone in the artist's profession and is housed in its own exhibit. This picture is loaded with portraits of prominent Amsterdammers, symbology, and a hitherto unseen technique of employing light, which took the famed artist three years to complete.
The large-scale picture depicts guards forming up, with a little girl in the front who is said to represent Rembrandt's late wife. The magnificent area is devoted to Rembrandt's ideas and skill and includes a frieze chronicling significant events in the artist's life.
The Milkmaid By Johannes Vermeer
The Rijksmuseum houses several of Johannes Vermeer's most well-known masterpieces. 'The Milkmaid,' for example, is a lovely illustration of how he used light in his artworks. The picture of a house help is among his most well-known, second only to the Mauritshuis.
The artwork's visual accuracy has prompted waves of art historians to reflect on the artwork's strongly vibrant blue and yellow hues and the artist's excellent treatment of natural light.
The Merry Family By Jan Steen
Jan Steen's paintings are notable for playfully depicting dysfunctional family relations. Visitors can almost hear the commotion as music is blasted, songs are sung, and beverages are spilled by staring at this picture. Zeroing in on the top right corner exposes a dangling scrap of paper with the statement "Like father, like son," implying that while a life of inebriation may be entertaining.
However, visitors shouldn't dismiss Steen as a rigorous moralist, as after all, delight like this is uncommon in art, and it's evident that he enjoys both enjoying and criticizing his subjects' vices.
Morning Ride Along The Beach By Anton Mauve
Anton Mauve's masterpiece is without a doubt this artwork. The painter was a key figure in the Hague school, and he was recognized for his candid depictions of the rural population. Mauve changed his attention to the bourgeoisie in this work, producing a backdrop that emphasizes the social class's riches and leisurely life.
Three riders dressed in finery ride onto a beach, their gaze fixed on the water. Their dark tone contrasts with the earthy tones of the seashore, emphasizing their separation from the agricultural landscape.
Other Things To Experience At Rijksmuseum
Stroll Through The Beautiful Gardens
Before entering the museum, visitors can enjoy the aesthetic quirkiness of Pierre Cuypers' sculpture-filled gardens, which he built in 1901. Architect Pierre Cuypers envisioned an outdoor exhibit with sculptures and relics of old Dutch structures. The gardens have been designated as national monuments.
In the summers, a giant wingnut tree stands among the complex topiaries, water features, and bright flower gardens, looking over the playgrounds, installations, and exhibition spaces.
Explore The Doll Houses
The chamber dedicated to the dolls' houses holds some of the most remarkable furniture pieces from the 17th century. Three antique dolls' houses are on show at the Rijksmuseum, which is known for its eccentricities.
These 17th-century quirks were not toys for kids, but rather a costly hobby for aristocratic women. Houses like this were furnished with scaled-down glass, silverware, china, and textile furniture.
Walk Through The Great Hall
The Great Hall is certainly among the most stunning galleries at the museum and one that visitors should not skip. Large wall artworks reflecting Dutch heritage and murals adorn the building's walls. One of the walls is adorned with big stained glass windows depicting notable artists, mostly from the Netherlands.
It features an intricate mosaic floor, a cathedral-vaulted roof, stained-glass windows, and massive Biblical frescoes. The wall symbols of King William III and Queen Emma are a lovely feature.
Dive In Books In The Cuypers Library
The Cuypers Library is every bookworm's dream, with the Netherlands' oldest and largest collection of art culture publications. Its exquisite interior seems as if it sprang straight out of one of Tolkien's books. It is accessible to use for students or art scholars, however, tourists can gaze inside from the deck. Visitors need to remember that this is a peaceful study and work environment.
Explore The Delft Blue Room
Delft Blue is among the most well-known Dutch commodities from the 1700s. Influenced by China, the Dutch quickly began their own porcelain manufacturing. Visitors will be able to observe all of the many kinds of artifacts there, which are colored in blue and white. Flower pyramids, on the other hand, are undoubtedly the most fascinating.
Getting To The Rijkmuseum in Amsterdam
Via Tram
- Nearest Tram Stop - Amsterdam, Spiegelgracht Tram Stop
- It is a 5-minute walk from the tram stop to the museum.
Via Bus
- Nearest Bus Stop - Ruysdaelkade Stop
- It is a 2-minute walk from the bus stop to the museum.
Entrance Ticket Fee
- Adults - $22
- Children (under 18 years) - Free
The Rijksmuseum is a beautiful museum with a large art collection. Besides artwork, it has a lot more to offer, from beautiful gardens to a magnificent library. It is unquestionably worthwhile to pay a visit to the museum.