Rijksmuseum Unveils 17th-Century Dutch Dining Exhibition at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Travelers passing through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can now immerse themselves in the culinary history of the Netherlands with the Rijksmuseum's new exhibition, "Setting the Table." Running from November 17, 2023, until November 2024, this display draws from the Rijksmuseum's extensive collection to showcase 17th-century Dutch dining culture through eight captivating paintings.
A Culinary Journey Through Time at Schiphol
The exhibition presents a vivid picture of Dutch meals from the Golden Age, illustrating what people ate, how they acquired their food, and its origins. Visitors will see still lifes and genre scenes by notable artists such as Gabriël Metsu, Abraham Mignon, and Cornelis Dusart, offering insights into the dining habits of the era. This unique presentation is made possible through collaborations with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and ING.
From Exotic Imports to Everyday Meals
The 17th century was a period of significant change for Dutch dining, driven by burgeoning trade. Wealthier citizens began adorning their tables with Chinese porcelain and incorporating exotic foodstuffs from around the globe. Paintings like Jan Jansz van de Velde III's 1651 Still Life with Roemer, Flute Glass, Earthenware Jug and Pipes reveal items such as tobacco and salt introduced by the Dutch West India Company. Pieter Gallis's 1673 Still Life with Fruit further exemplifies this trend, featuring a variety of fruits from distant lands like China and Persia.
In contrast to the opulent displays of the affluent, the exhibition also highlights the more modest fare of ordinary families. Gabriël Metsu's Man and Woman at a Meal (1650-1660) depicts a typical breakfast of bread, cheese, and ham. Beer was a common beverage consumed throughout the day, as plain water was rarely drunk. Visitors will also discover intriguing details, such as the appearance of artichokes, a relatively new import from the Mediterranean, alongside local carrots and cabbages in David Teniers II's Husbandman at a Cottage Door with a Seated Woman and Child (c. 1650-1655).
The exhibition also sheds light on daily life and commerce, as seen in Cornelis Dusart's 1683 painting Fish Market. This work illustrates a fish stall where a woman prepares fish for sale, reflecting the common practice of middle-class women earning a living through trade, especially prevalent in the fish industry.
Visiting the Rijksmuseum at Amsterdam Airport
The Rijksmuseum has maintained a presence at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol since 2002, marking its position as the first art museum to establish a branch within an airport. This unique outpost offers travelers free access to art and history, 24 hours a day. Rijksmuseum Schiphol is conveniently located between Lounge 2 and Lounge 3, accessible after security checks.
To discover more about the Rijksmuseum and other cultural highlights in Amsterdam, explore Musemap (musemap.art). You can also browse a comprehensive list of museums in Amsterdam or see what's on during your visit.
