View one of the finest collections of Dutch masters in the world alongside priceless treasures from Asia and elsewhere.
The Rijksmuseum is the largest public-funded museum in The Netherlands and boasts an unrivalled collection of paintings, sculptures and artefacts.The building itself is one of Amsterdam’s architectural jewels, designed in the 18th-century Gothic style by the celebrated Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. It was opened in 1885 and has been substantially renovated over the years, with the most recent restoration of the main hall unveiled in April 2013. The outer façade is lavishly decorated with tiles, while the palatial interior features impressive stained glass, mosaics and vaulted ceilings.Within its walls are some of the finest examples of art from the Dutch Golden Age, including a priceless collection of paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer. The former’s masterpiece The Night Watch is one of the museum’s most highly prized artworks, while Vermeer’s Milk Maid, depicting the idyllic rural life of a bygone age, is another favourite with visitors. Other galleries showcase the work of their contemporaries, together representing one of the most important collections of Dutch masters in the world.An extensive collection of Asian art includes over 8,000 objects including paintings, prints and sculptures, beautiful lacquer boxes, jewellery and traditional tea bowls. There are also exhibition rooms dedicated to Western sculpture, Dutch interior design and fashion items.Altogether, there are over a million items spread across 200 rooms, so allow plenty of time for your visit. It’s definitely a good idea to buy your ticket online in advance from the official website to avoid the inevitable queues. If you’re passing through Schiphol airport on your way home, you can also catch a rotating exhibition of items from the museum collection for free in the terminal building.The Rijksmuseum is situated between Stadhouderskade and Museumplein and is open every day except New Year’s Day. The hop-on, hop-off canal boats stop right in front of the building, and there are frequent bus and tram services along all the main city routes. You may be lucky enough to find a parking spot nearby, but spaces are limited so public transport is definitely a more reliable and less stressful option.
