A historical museum full of new offerings: Take time to enjoy the masterpieces of Dutch art and gain new perspectives with an eye on the present day. The Rijksmuseum is located on the Museumplein in the center of Amsterdam, close to the historic canals and stores, and has some of the world's most famous masterpieces in its collection.
Never before have you been able to see so many paintings by Johannes Vermeer in one place. The Rijksmuseum has brought together most of Vermeer's paintings from all over the world for you. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to get to know the painter better and immerse yourself in his world!
It is the largest exhibition ever dedicated exclusively to the Delft Master, with a total of 28 paintings from all over the world, including Japan and the USA.
The Soldier and the Laughing Girl, Johannes Vermeer, 1657-58, oil on canvas, © The Frick Collection, New York. Photo: Joseph Coscia Jr.
Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) lived and worked in Delft. His work is best known for his calm, self-contained interior scenes, his unprecedented use of bright, colorful light and his convincing illusionism. In contrast to Rembrandt, Vermeer left behind a remarkably small oeuvre of only around 35 paintings. As his paintings are among the most important exhibits in collections and museums around the world, his works are only lent out in exceptional cases.
International masterpieces
Unique! Never before have so many Vermeer paintings been brought together in one place. The exhibition includes masterpieces such as The Girl with the Pearl Earring (Mauritshuis, The Hague), The Geographer (Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main), Letter Writer and Maid (The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin) and Woman with Scales (The Pearl Weaver) (The National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.).
The exhibition also includes three works from the Frick Collection in New York as well as the recently restored Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window from the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden and The Glass of Wine from the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin. Many of these masterpieces are on display in the Netherlands for the first time.
Girl reading a letter at an open window, Johannes Vermeer, 1657-58, oil on canvas © Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Dresden
Research in collaboration with the Mauritshuis
Preparations for the exhibition are currently in full swing. The Rijksmuseum team is investigating Vermeer's artistic oeuvre, his artistic decisions and motivations for his compositions, as well as the creative process. We are working closely with the Mauritshuis. A team of conservators, restorers and natural scientists is examining the seven Vermeer paintings in Dutch ownership. Works by Vermeer from other collections have also been included in this project.
until June 4, 2023
