"The Glory of the Golden Age"
2000-04-15 until 2000-07-15
Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam, , NL Netherlands

To mark its bicentenary, from 15 April 2000 the Rijksmuseum will present a survey of Dutch art in the 17th century through a range of masterpieces. On the upper floor of the museum two hundred paintings, sculptures and works of decorative art will be displayed, while in the galleries of the Print Room about one hundred drawings and prints will be on view. For both parts of the exhibition the works have been chosen with the greatest care in order to provide the richest and most representative overview possible of the artistic production of this period. All the leading artists of the age are represented by at least one characteristic work; in the case of the most eminent and versatile masters - such as Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Ruisdael, Steen and Vermeer - several masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum and other collections will be shown.

To mark its bicentenary, from 15 April 2000 the Rijksmuseum will present a survey of Dutch art in the 17th century through a range of masterpieces. On the upper floor of the museum two hundred paintings, sculptures and works of decorative art will be displayed, while in the galleries of the Print Room about one hundred drawings and prints will be on view. For both parts of the exhibition the works have been chosen with the greatest care in order to provide the richest and most representative overview possible of the artistic production of this period. All the leading artists of the age are represented by at least one characteristic work; in the case of the most eminent and versatile masters - such as Frans Hals, Rembrandt, Ruisdael, Steen and Vermeer - several masterpieces from the Rijksmuseum and other collections will be shown.

About half the works exhibited come from the Rijksmuseum, with the Night Watch forming the centrepiece. The other half consist of special loans, mainly from museums in other countries. The choice of loans is intended to fill out and where necessary strengthen the picture of 17th-century art provided by the Rijksmuseum collections. In some cases these are pivotal masterpieces which are missing from the Rijksmuseum and which add to the view of the development of art in the Golden Age. An effort has been made to find works that have not been seen in the Netherlands for a long time, so that even for frequent visitors to the museum the exhibition will offer numerous surprises.

The exhibition starts in the Gallery of Honour and takes up a large part of the painting galleries on the upper floor. The development of Dutch art in the 17th century is followed more or less chronologically, with Rembrandt's Night Watch of 1642 retaining its central position in the Night Watch room. The exhibition is presented in 24 cabinets and rooms, each showing a related group of works. On a broadly chronological basis, there is a thematic arrangement by genre and specialisation. Specific movements such as Mannerism, Caravaggism and classicism are of course considered. Several rooms are given over to the portrait, the still life, the landscape, the genre scene and the history painting (biblical and mythological subjects), and one room features the so-called Delft School.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Netherlands

Other Important Exhibitions in Amsterdam