Amsterdam, the largest city in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has no shortage of museums. Their collections are extremely interesting and even unique. Well, where else in the world will you see a museum of sex? And in Amsterdam he is. And besides him, a less shocking museum of erotica is available to the eyes of visitors . The Dutch have very loose views in this regard. In this country, prostitutes even have their own union. However, this article will focus on quite decent things. We will take a virtual tour of the State Museum. Amsterdam acquired it at the very beginning of the nineteenth century. This is a truly ancient museum with a rich collection. Below you will find some practical recommendations for visitors and a short list of masterpieces.
State Museum (Amsterdam, Holland): history
The Rijksmuseum was founded by King of the Netherlands Louis Bonaparte (Napoleon's brother) in 1800. He did not stay in a private collection for long. Fifteen years later, his exposition became open to the public. The Rijksmuseum was originally located in the kingdom's capital, The Hague. The core of the exposition was two hundred paintings, and the National Art Gallery occupied a small house. But with the help of patrons, the collection grew steadily. The museum changed its location several times until it finally settled in Amsterdam. In 1885, a new building was built specifically for him. Outwardly, it looks more like a fairytale princess castle than a museum. The design of the building in the neo-Gothic style was created by the famous Dutch architect Peter Kuipers.
State Museum, Amsterdam: address, opening hours, prices
The Rijksmuseum is located in the very center of the city. Its exact address is the corner of the Museumstraat and Museumplein. It can easily be reached from the main train station by tram of route 2 or 5. You need to get off at the Hobbemastraat stop. If you arrive at Amsterdam at the Sloterdijk station, then from there you can get to the cultural institution by tram number 12 (Kontserthebau). The metro station closest to the museum is Weisperplein. Next you need to get on trams number 7 or 10 ("Spichelhracht"). You can get to Museum Square and take buses on routes 26, 66, 65, 172 and 170. Passes by shuttle No. 197 from Schiphol Airport (Hobbemastraat stop). If you are going to Amsterdam with your own or rented car, from the A10 ring road you need to turn into the S109 turn. Under the square there is a paid underground parking for those who visit the State Museum (Amsterdam). The opening hours of this cultural institution are from nine to seventeen, daily. Persons under eighteen years of age can visit the museum absolutely free. Adults will have to fork out for seventeen and a half euros.
Modern facilities at the State Museum
All exhibition halls are accessible for people in wheelchairs. Tickets can be bought online on the official website. This will not save money, but it will save standing time in long lines, which are a mandatory attribute of the Rijksmuseum, especially in the summer months. At the box office you can book excursions on various topics. If you do not speak foreign languages, you can download media from your mobile device. You can also rent audio guides at the box office. They are available in Russian. These are thematic tours “Masterpieces”, “Drinks and Food of the Golden Age” and “Selected Works of Jeroen Krabbe”. You can join a group excursion to the State Museum (Amsterdam). Photo and video are allowed. The main condition is without a flash.
Exposition scheme of the Rijksmuseum
For ten years, from 2003 to 2013, the State Museum (Amsterdam) was closed for reconstruction. Now the updated exposition consists of several collections. Its core is the exhibition “Masterpieces”. It contains the best canvases of the Dutch masters of the golden age - Van Dyck, Jan Weermeer, Jan Stein. The art collection presents an interesting selection of decorative art, including Delft porcelain. A separate place is occupied by the pavilion dedicated to Asia. In it you can see bronze statuettes of Buddha, wooden caskets from Korea and the like artifacts. The historical collection contains objects found during archaeological excavations. In addition, there are permanent exhibitions of photographs, prints and drawings.
Masterpieces of the Rijksmuseum
The State Museum (Amsterdam) is the largest art gallery in the country. In two hundred and sixty halls, five thousand paintings, 30,000 sculptural compositions, many historical artifacts are displayed. Therefore, if you are constrained in time, take the “Masterpieces” audio tour and head to the hall called Nacht wacht zaal. This room was created in 1906 specifically for this picture. The epic canvas “Night Watch” by Rembrandt is a gem that the State Museum (Amsterdam) is rightly proud of. The paintings of other Dutch masters from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century occupy the rooms in the neighborhood. Be sure to see the four paintings of Vermeer, “The Gothic Temple with Figures” by van Eyck and “The Sermon in the Church” by Luke Leiden.
Arts and crafts wing
Porcelain from the small Dutch town of Delft is another pride of the State Museum. The exposition is not only utensils and stove tiles. Of particular interest are two dollhouses with a full range of furniture and interior items. The boys will be delighted with an exhibition of weapons.