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Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, Netherlands
GPS: 52.36031201035, 4.8855424123531
The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is one of the most renowned cultural institutions in the world. It has the largest concentration of paintings by Dutch masters. Built in 1885 in a neo-Gothic building designed by the Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers, the museum was extensively restored in the early 2000s. After ten years of work, it was given a new look and reopened in April 2013. The inauguration took place in the presence of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, just a few days before the end of her 33-year reign (she abdicated at the age of 75 in favour of her eldest son, Willem-Alexander).
Occupying four floors and 12,000 m² of exhibition space, the Rijksmuseum ranks among the largest museums in the world. Its galleries contain no less than 14,000 outstanding paintings, sculptures, furniture and art objects, which are presented to the public in 80 new exhibition rooms. On the ground floor, the museum recounts episodes in the country’s early colonial expansion and the rich history of the Dutch East India Company. With an estimated total collection of over one million pieces, it is the most visited art museum in the Netherlands (2.5 million visitors per year) ahead of the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.
The Rijksmuseum has some of the most famous works of art in the world, starting with 17th century paintings from the golden age of Dutch painting. During this period, the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands imposed its artistic supremacy on other European painters. Jan Vermeer, Rembrandt and Frans Hals were the leading figures of the Dutch Baroque movement. In total, the magnificent collection of the Rijksmuseum covers a period of more than 500 years (from the 15th to the early 20th century). It is distinguished by its Dutch masterpieces, including the largest collection of Rembrandt paintings in the world.