The Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is with its beautiful building and impressive collection an absolute must visit for everyone coming to Amsterdam. After a ten year renovation the Rijksmuseum has opened its doors again for the public in 2013. This majestic museum has over a million works in its collection, making it the largest art collection of the Netherlands. A selection of 8000 works is on permanent display and gives a profound insight into the history of the Netherlands for over 800 years. The old building is designed by architect Pierre Cuypers and it was first used in 1885. After over 100 years of intense use, the building was in desperate need of a radical makeover. The reconstructions started in 2004. The main goal was to make the building ready for the next century. Cuypers’ vision on the layout of the building was respected and restored.

Dutch masters

The Rijksmuseum specializes in the Dutch masters, such as Vermeer, Steen, Breitner and of course Rembrandt. The painting Rembrandt is probably most famous for, the Night Watch, is as always on display in the central part of the museum. Besides Dutch painters, you find everything at the Rijksmuseum from sculpture, furniture and fabrics, arts and crafts and a large collection of Asian art.