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Rijksmuseum

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barjay
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4 out of 5
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30
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Editor Pick

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum

Partially closed down for renovations until 2009, Rijksmuseum still offers one of the best displays of art I have seen thus far. In addition to a variety of other artists, the museum houses works by great 17th century Dutch masters, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Vermeer, and Rembrandt. I highly recommend the audio tour. For a couple of euros it is very enlightening and and illuminates the painting's history and nuances.

The museum itself is also a work of art. The architectural details, inside and out, are as equally impressive as the collection of masterpieces within.

Admission costs: 10 euro

The Rijksmuseum is open every day from 9am to 6pm, Fridays from 6pm to 10pm. Closed Jan.1

For more info, visit their website: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/index.jsp

From journal Art and Amsterdamming

Editor Pick

Rijksmuseum

  • July 25, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Mandan Lynn from Smithwick, South Dakota
Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum
Daily 9:00-6:00 pm (10:00 pm Friday)
Admission: 10,00 euros (18 and under free; no student discount)

The Rijksmuseum is what I remember best about my first visit to Amsterdam 7 years ago. It was the first art museum I had ever been to, so it holds a special place in my heart. And, upon my return trip last week, I found it to be well worth my high opinion.

Captions are in Dutch and English, and they are, for the most part, quite thorough--you manage to get quite a history lesson as well as an art fix.

The Rijksmuseum proudly displays Holland's own--works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Steen. You won't want to miss the "Nightwatch", which may be Rembrandt's most famous work. Even though the museum is currently under construction and many of the works aren't on display, the "Nightwatch" has its own room, complete with a strange little light show that's rather enjoyable.

In addition to painting, you'll also find a collection of Delft pottery and a giant ship, among other stuff.

Make the Rijksmuseum your first stop on your Amsterdam museum list.

From journal Amsterdam, Netherlands

Editor Pick

Rijksmuseum

  • May 25, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by notso62 from Boston, Massachusetts
Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the largest and possibly most famous museum of art in the Netherlands. The beautifully constructed museum was designed by famed architect Pierre Cuypers. The ornate edifices stand tall above the other buildings on the Museumsplein and are a sight to behold by themselves.

Unfortunately for those that are planning their trip to Amsterdam in the very-near-future, the Rijksmuseum is undergoing a major restoration project. The work is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. During this time of construction, the main buildings of the Museum are closed to the public. Luckily however, many of the museum's finest works have been moved to a temporary viewing area in the newly renovated Philips Wing.

The Rijksmuseum's collections are publicly owned by the city of Amsterdam. The many year's of art history that this city has been a part of have lead to an extensive portfolio of great artists. Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Jan Steen, and Vermeer all have paintings featured in this location. The concentration of the permanent exhibition is from the 17th century, but the Rijks has works spanning from the 15th to 19th century as well. Large collections of Delftware and Silver are housed in the museum as well.

The most famous of all the works at the Rijksmuseum is the "Night Watch" by Rembrandt. It is a beautifully detailed battle scene that was at the time a commissioned group portrait. I personally am not a big Rembrandt fan, but this painting is very impressive in size and intricacy.

Perhaps my favorite painting in the Rijksmuseum is "The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum at Night" by Van Gogh. I love the beautiful contrast of the bright yellow cafe on the dark blue background and the use of post-impressionism techniques.

The Rijksmuseum has many famous works by Vermeer such as "The Love Letter," but it does not have "The Girl with a Pearl Earring," which is often asked about by tourists.

The Rijksmuseum is lovely as-is and will be absolutely splendid when they finish the construction project. I can't wait to visit again after 2008.

From journal Mixing Business and Pleasure in Amsterdam

Editor Pick

Rijksmuseum

  • February 5, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by honeyb from San Francisco, California
Rijksmuseum

This day trip on February 4, 2006, also included the Van Gogh Museum and the Heineken Brewery.

The museum is currently being refurbished, and the current exhibit titled "The Masterpieces" is displayed in a refurbished wing of the building. The exhibition showcases the golden age of the Netherlands in well-organized themes, culminating in Rembrandt's "The Nightwatch." As part of Rembrandt's 400th birthday, all of the museum's Rembrandt pieces are on display in one room. Other pieces of interest include some very impressive dollhouses that cost their original owners as much as real houses. Works by Johann Vermeer are also on display.

As the name of the current exhibit suggests, the best of the museum's pieces are on display and the smaller exhibition area made it easy to see all the masterpieces in a visit of around 2 hours.

Go real early to beat the crowds and groups. I took the audio tour for an extra 4 euros. I suggest that you buy the guide instead. The text is the same as the audio tour. You'll have to read it, but at least you get to take the pictures home with you.

From journal Day Trips to Amsterdam

Editor Pick

Rijksmuseum

  • February 5, 2006
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Andrew from Toronto, Ontario
Rijksmuseum

I learned nothing about art at the Rijksmuseum, but I did learn one thing about museums: they are not for the exhausted.

The Rijksmuseum was the first place I went in Amsterdam, after checking in to the hotel. I had known beforehand that most of the museum was closed for renovations, and would be through 2008, yet I still wanted to go to see the small selection that was still on display. My visit started out well: I was fresh off the plane, excited to be in the city, and very relieved to be inside, away from the freezing cold. But as soon as I got into the exhibit, I began to regret the fact that I had not been able to sleep on the plane. So I rushed through the exhibits, looking for the good stuff.

That I found on the second floor. The highlight of the scaled-down, renovation-era Rijksmuseum is the rooms full of Rembrandts. Some of his most famous works are on display here. This perked me up a little bit, but not enough. I’m not even sure I saw the whole exhibit, because I got through it all pretty quickly and don’t recall seeing any of the Vermeers that were supposed to have been there. I gave up trying when I started to worry that I would fall asleep on my feet and topple into one of these paintings.

Luckily I made it out without incident, so all the paintings are still intact and ready for more alert museum-goers to enjoy. Sadly, because I was exhausted from the flight and the time change, I didn’t get much out of this visit. I hope that when the Rijksmuseum reopens in a few years, they will serve coffee.

From journal Amsterdam: It's Great

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