Designed by Pierre Cuypers and opened in 1885, the Rijksmuseum holds the country’s largest collection of art and artefacts, including 22 Rembrandts and four Vermeers. The museum’s 80 galleries showcase 800 years of Dutch art and historical objects, as well as decorative and Asian art, which has its own pavilion. But the biggest draw is the collection of Golden Age jewels such as Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’ – currently undergoing major restoration – and Vermeer’s ‘The Milkmaid’ and ‘Woman Reading a Letter’, alongside other masterpieces by Frans Hals and Jan Steen.
Amsterdam is one of those cities where you can visit again and again, and you still won’t feel like you’ve done it all. That is particularly the case for its museums and galleries, which showcase the best of the city’s history, creativity and downright craziness, from historic collections to contemporary art. There’s a reason Amsterdam’s art roster is the envy of cities all over the world you know.
And sure, you know about Van Gogh, but do you know about the modern art that can be found next door? The Yayo Kusama works found in the bath-shaped Stedelijk Museum? The independent photography museum in a renovated canal house? That's where our Amsterdam experts come in. Our local writer has a local's scoop on every bit of art in the city–you just need to come along for the ride.
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