Rijksmuseum, The Masterpieces

From December 2003 to 2008 the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam will undergo the biggest rebuilding, renovation and modernization program in its history. During this period the finest works from the 17th century in the Rijksmuseum will continue to be on view under the title The Masterpieces. The redesigned Philips Wing provides an opportunity to see 400 highlights of the Golden Age in surprising combinations. 

The famous dolls' houses, the finest Delftware, a wealth of silver, icons of Dutch history and of course the paintings by the great masters of the 17th century, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Vermeer and Rembrandt, have a provisional new home in the Philips Wing. For many of these works this is the first time that they have left their place in the Rijksmuseum. Rembrandt’s Night Watch, for example, has rarely left the main building designed by Pierre Cuypers since it opened in 1885. 

The miracle of the Golden Age: wealth, trade and burghers 

The new presentation The Masterpieces is arranged according to distinctive themes. Central to this presentation is the story of the miracle of the Golden Age: the sudden and unprecedented rise in the prosperity and power of the young Republic of the Seven United Provinces, its leading international role as a trading nation, and the important position of the burghers. Historical icons such as Johan van Oldenbarnevelt’s cane, the book chest in which Grotius escaped from prison, the stern decoration from the captured English warship the Royal Charles, and models of the imposing tombs of the admirals Maarten Tromp and Michiel de Ruyter are just a few of the many objects which illustrate the themes. But paintings too, such as the great seascapes by Willem van de Velde, the portraits of Prince Maurice and King-Stadholder William III and the many views of distant and exotic places, give a picture of the remarkable role the Netherlands played in the world in the 17th century. 

The 17th-century interior, Delftware and painting

Exceptional growth and quality was not limited to politics and economics. Dutch painting and decorative arts took on a character of their own in the 17th century and attained great heights.  The famous dolls' houses inlaid with tortoiseshell owned by Petronella Oortman and Petronella Dunois reflect the richness of the 17th-century interior. The splendid silver treasure chamber in the Philips Wing uses work by such celebrated silversmiths as Lutma and the Van Vianen brothers among others to show how this field became one of the fine arts in the Golden Age. The renowned Delftware is presented in the context of the royal patrons King-Stadholder William III and Maria Stuart, both great lovers of this ware. 

The masterpieces by the great 17th-century painters are arranged according to such themes as the early landscape, genre pieces, the Delft school and early and late Rembrandt. Fifteen works by Rembrandt and all four paintings by Vermeer in the Rijksmuseum collection are on display. Besides Rembrandt and Vermeer, there are old favorites like Winter landscape by Hendrick Avercamp, The Merry Family by Jan Steen, the Marriage Portrait of Isaac Massa and Beatrix van der Laen by Frans Hals, The Mill at Wijk van Duurstede by Jacob van Ruisdael and River landscape with riders by Aelbert Cuyp. Rembrandt’s greatest masterpiece, the Night Watch, is in the last room of the exhibition. 

The design of The Masterpieces in the Philips Wing

For the presentation of The Masterpieces in the Philips Wing subdued colors and transparent display cases have been chosen. A striking feature of the design is the splendid decoration of the walls: satin-finish patterns inspired by 17th-century damask. Visitors will shortly be able to go round the display following a clear and fixed route, which takes into account the capacity of the Philips Wing.