The Rijksmuseum is the largest art museum in the Netherlands. It boasts an impressive collection of works spread out over more than 80 halls. World-renowned masters such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals are all on display. The building is situated in the heart of Amsterdam’s museum district, where you can also find the Stedelijk and the Van Gogh Museum. The Royal Concert hall located opposite to the Rijksmuseum is considered to be one of the finest concert halls in the world.
The Rijksmuseum was designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers and was opened to the public in 1885. Since 1970 the museum has been Dutch national heritage. In 2013 an extensive 10-year renovation was completed. The new interior of the museum is a perfect blend of the old with the modern. The atrium over the entrance hall features a high glass ceiling and spacious, modern architecture that’s uniquely combined with the traditionally red coloured brick walls.
The collection of the Rijksmuseum contains more than a million pieces and has around eight thousand paintings on display, sculptures and historical art objects, ranging from the year 1200 to the present. Some of the most remarkable works include Rembrandt’s The Night Watch (1642), The Milkmaid by Vermeer (1647) and one of Van Gogh’s self-portraits (1887).
The Dutch architect Cuypers had various principles in building Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. Cuypers was interested in connecting modern components with artisanal craftsmanship.
Furthermore, he wanted the fundemental anatomy of the Rijksmuseum to remain visible. In Rijksmuseum’s library, the iron load-bearing construction is plain to see. A lot elements were restored to their original state during the renovation. Did you know that Cuypers designed a large skylight to make it possible to read by daylight? When the Rijksmuseum opened in 1885, reading by daylight, rather than by flickering gaslight, was super modern. Cuypers also designed Amsterdam’s Central Station by the way.
Don’t wait in line, buy your Rijksmuseum tickets here online!
- Jul, 31, 2019 -
We followed the highlights tour on the (free) app and really enjoyed it-took at least an hour. The shop was interesting and well stocked
- Jul, 31, 2019 -
Try to get there early! We got our tickets online & arrived in the morning. We left around 1:30 and it was crazy busy. There are lockers to leave your backpacks free of charge. Highlights: floor 0 (1100-1600)Jacob Cornelias Van Oostanen "The Crucifixtion". **floor 1 (1800-1900)Paul Gabriel's Windmill. **floor 2 (1650-1700) Rembrandt's Night Watch (currently under high tech scan maintenance)**hidden gem on floor 3: Karel Appel
- Jul, 31, 2019 -
Breathtaking...too much to take in for one day! We also enjoyed eating at the restaurant. Long lines at ticket counter, bag check and toilet.
- Jul, 29, 2019 -
I liked this museum. It may have suffered slightly as I’ve been to the Met in New York and the National Gallery in DC in the last couple of months - and the Rijksmuseum lags a little behind those two in my estimation. Still, I enjoyed the dive into Dutch art - it’s very Dutch focused. My favorite thing was discovering some great but not global household name artists like de Hooch (near the Vermeers and for my money, the more intriguing painter). The top floor has some more modern stuff that I enjoyed as much as the giant Rembrandt.
- Jul, 30, 2019 -
I was pleasantly surprised with this museum. We spent 2 1/2 hours and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. You can download an phone app for free audio tour or rent the headsets. Totally worth it.
- Jul, 31, 2019 -
Buy tickets online, it saves a lot if time, you do not have to stand in line. The museum has great pieces, the “eregalerij” is the best. All of the masterpieces are here. The Nachtwacht is being restored, so you can not get really close, but it does not spoil the fun.
- Jul, 31, 2019 -
Tips go straight to second floor for Rembrandt . Buy your ticket anytime and you can use it on any day (once)for up to a year. You can download the audio on to your own device before going from rijkskmuseum website. The resteraunt is very nice had lovely soups but burgers and other meals looked nice.
- Jul, 31, 2019 -
The Rijks Museum which is one of the great museums of the world with its sparkling and glorious display of Old Masters and paintings and sculptures over several centuries, takes over one’s senses like none other. The Museum with its distinctive twin turrets and red brick experience presides over the Museumplein and is a welcoming and brilliant exhibition of Dutch art and culture. The RijksMuseum is inextricably linked with Rembrandt artist’s most visitors are there to gain the experience of standing in the majestic presence of this work of art. The masterpiece is currently undergoing laborious scanning to capture the intricacies of the artist’s conceptualisation and execution. Go and view the RijksMuseum - you will come away rejuvenated and yet humbled by the display of human spirit.