Visit the World-Class Rijksmuseum for a Dutch Art and History Lesson

History and Present

Visitors are astonished to learn that the museum was actually founded in The Hague in 1800 and was moved to Amsterdam eight years later upon the orders of Louis Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon Bonaparte. The building, which is a work of art in itself, was designed by architect Pierre Cuypers in 1885 after he won a contest to design the new structure. The stylish Dutch neo-Renaissance style infused with neo-Gothic elements makes the Rijksmuseum one of Amsterdam's most beautiful structures.

Fast forward to 2013 when it reopened for a second time following a 10 year-long refurbishment that cost a whopping €375 million. Spanish architects Antonio Cruz and Antonio Ortiz oversaw the entire reconstruction and did well to preserve old interior decorations while adding fresh elements. With a new presentation style, visitors can traverse through the exhibits at their own pace, without feeling overwhelmed. Inaugurated by Queen Beatrix, it was the Netherlands' most visited museum in 2013 and 2014, beating the other big draws like the Van Gogh Museum.

Art enthusiasts will be pleased to know that since 2012, nearly 125,000 high-resolution images were placed on Rijksstudio's web platform for download. The management, led by art historian Taco Dibbits who is also the director of collections, hopes to keep adding 40,000 images each successive year until the entire collection is eventually available to the public online.

A Collection Like No Other

Even casual observers are struck by the beauty of works such as Rembrandt's 'Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem' (1630), 'The Night Watch' (1642), 'The Milkmaid' by Johannes Vermeer and 'The Meagre Company' (1633–37) by Frans Hals and Pieter Codde among others. The Gallery of Honour showcases world-renowned paintings by the masters of the Dutch Golden Age. There are not many places you can see so much stunning art under one roof.

The dolls houses are fascinating, particularly the oldest which dates back to 1676. There is also an interesting collection of Delft Blue pottery tea sets and vases. The Rijksmuseum happens to house Holland's largest and oldest art history library - the Cuypersbibliotheek, which has been well-restored to its original grandeur.

Visiting the Museum

If art of this scale and stature moves you, set aside at least 4-5 hours to fully enjoy all the exhibits in the museum. While the audio guide is recommended, information cards alongside each exhibit are very helpful. Photography is allowed but flash and tripods are not. The Rijksshop is a great place to pick up souvenirs and postcards while the café is a pleasant spot to rest briefly over a coffee.

Located on the edge of the Museum District, the Rijksmuseum overlooks an open space where people recline in the sun, pet dogs in tow. In walking distance to the Rijksmuseum is the world-famous Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam and the Concertgebouw music hall. If you're there on a Saturday, make sure to stop by the Farmers' Market which attracts locals and visitors alike with its fresh produce. Exploring the museum and the surrounding area will no doubt build up an appetiter. For a sumptuous menu of international cuisine in refined surroundings, try the Brasserie NH Schiller, a mere 15 minute walk from the museum. In the past, it was a famed hang-out for Amsterdam's artists and writers and today, it's where the popular Dutch talk show, RTL Late Night, is filmed.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that the Rijksmuseum in collaboration with a boat company offers visitors an educative cruise called the Floating Art-History Tour, through the city's inky canals. With the help of an audio guide, visitors can see such spots as where criminals were executed during the Dutch Golden Age and the area where Rembrandt lived and painted his masterpiece, 'The Night Watch'.
Finish the cruise with a visit to the Rijksmuseum - the exhibits will seem larger-than-life and much more personal.

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Author: Lana de Wit

Guest Relations Manager at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky

My name is Lana de Wit, Guest Relations Manager at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky. Together with the Guest Relations and Guest Services team we are making sure that all guests are having the best experience at our hotel and look after their special requests, celebrations and expectations. I get energy out of solving problems and striving for the best there is possible and I love the fact that every day is different and full of surprises. I always wanted to work at Krasnapolsky since I was a little girl, so being able to work here the past years has been a dream together with my fantastic colleagues. My biggest mission is to let every guest leave with extraordinary stories and unforgettable memories to take home. I look forward to welcoming you here in Amsterdam to give you the true Anantara experience!