The Rijksmuseum: Art of the Dutch Masters & History Private TourPrivate Tour

Things to know

What makes this tour special

The Rijksmuseum, the impressive National Museum of the Netherlands, ranks among the world’s greatest collections of art and historical artefacts, including a veritable treasure trove of art from the Dutch Golden Age. Explore the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh in one of the grandest and largest museums in Amsterdam designated the National Museum of the Netherlands.

On your private Rijksmuseum tour, you will: 

• Explore over 8000 pieces of art, covering 800 years of history, displayed in 80 galleries;
• Learn all about the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century in the resplendent halls of the museum; 
• Admire works by its leading artists including Rembrandt, Van Dyck and Vermeer;
• Gain expert insight into the lives of the artists and the era in which they worked;
• See in exquisite and perfectly-lit detail, Rembrandt's The Night Watch, and Vermeer's The Milkmaid among other masterpieces;
• Admire more recent works by the Dutch post-impressionist painter, Vincent Van Gogh and learn about his tempestuous, passionate, and ultimately tragic life; 
• Be amazed by the dimensions of the museum building, a true architectural masterpiece;
• Learn about the history of the Netherlands and Amsterdam, from its humble beginnings as a fishing village to its importance as a trading port during the 17th Century, and why the museum rests at the heart of Dutch culture today. 

Inspired by the Louvre, the Dutch government decided the country needed a national museum so the construction of the Rijksmuseum was started in November 1798, and opened its doors over 200 years ago, in 1800 in the Hague. It was intended to detail the history of the Netherlands from 1200 - to the present day and to inspire patriotism in the Dutch people.

In 1808 Louis Napoleon Bonaparte moved it to the royal palace in Amsterdam; it was again moved to the Trippenhuis - which was just too small - and finally, the architect Pierre Cuypers was commissioned to design a new building. After much debate, the building you see today is a blend of neo-gothic and Renaissance in style. The museum underwent a major renovation between 2003-2013, costing 350 million euros. Today it attracts around 3 million visitors every year!  

Famous for its extensive collection of Dutch Masters of the Golden Age (1600s) you will see world-famous masterpieces including the Threatened Swan by Jan Asselijn, which was the first purchase ever made by the museum and remains a highlight of the tour, alongside the Night Watch by Rembrandt (beautifully lit in the hall created especially for the painting ), the Milkmaid by Vermeer, and other works by Van Dyck, Frans Hals, Jans Steen and many more. 

The museum also houses a self-portrait by Vincent Van Gogh and works by more recent Dutch artists like Breitner. 

You'll also see artefacts and objects detailing the history of the Netherlands from humble beginnings to one of the world leaders in trade and seafaring during the 17th century, in the grandeur of the 80 galleries, including the Cuypers Library and the Gallery of Honour.  

What you'll see

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