Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Presents Masterpieces from Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is currently hosting a special exhibition showcasing remarkable works from Rotterdam's Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Titled 'Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen at Rijksmuseum,' this unique presentation runs from September 29, 2023, to January 14, 2024. It offers visitors an exceptional chance to view approximately 90 acclaimed artworks while the Rotterdam museum undergoes extensive renovations.
A Journey Through Art History in Amsterdam
This exhibition guides visitors through a rich tapestry of human experience, spanning art from the Middle Ages to contemporary pieces. The collection explores universal aspects of life – from birth and youth to aging and death – revealing how these themes have been interpreted across different historical periods. Largely built by Rotterdam collectors and industrialists, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen collection is internationally renowned for its blend of famous old masters and prominent contemporary art.
Exhibition Highlights for Your Visit
Among the approximately 90 works on display, visitors can encounter iconic pieces such as Pieter Bruegel the Elder's The Tower of Babel, Edgar Degas' Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, and Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room – Phalli’s Field (Floor Show). The collection also features Edvard Munch's Two Girls near an Apple Tree, Vincent van Gogh’s Portrait of Armand Roulin, Piet Mondriaan’s Composition with Colour Fields, and Hieronymus Bosch’s The Pedlar. Modern and contemporary art lovers will find works by Cindy Sherman, Salvador Dalí, and Pablo Picasso.
Notably, Yayoi Kusama’s immersive Infinity Mirror Room is being shown for the first time since its thorough restoration, showcasing its white fabric phalluses with red dots as if newly created. A selection of exquisite drawings from the Print Room, including works by Käthe Kollwitz, Hendrik Goltzius, Peter Paul Rubens, and Matthias Grünewald, is also part of the exhibition. Outside the main exhibition space, Ugo Rondinone’s light installation Breathe, Walk, Die is visible from Museum Square, and Donald Judd’s Untitled, 1984, featuring large aluminum color panels, is displayed in the Philips Wing atrium. The exhibition is thoughtfully arranged thematically, encouraging connections between artworks from diverse periods.
Exploring the Boijmans Collection While Renovations Continue
The opportunity to see such a significant portion of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen collection in Amsterdam arises from the Rotterdam institution's multi-year renovation project. While its art storage facility, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, opened to the public in 2021, this Rijksmuseum exhibition marks the first time many of these important works have been displayed outside the depot in the Netherlands since 2019.
The exhibition’s unique presentation was designed by architects Ard de Vries and Donna van Milligen Bielke, with graphic design by Irma Boom. Visitors can enhance their experience with audio tours, including a themed journey with Rotterdam presenter Raven van Dorst and curators, and a special music tour composed by DJ Upsammy.
For those seeking to delve into the rich cultural offerings of Amsterdam, this special exhibition at the Rijksmuseum is a must-see. Discover more about ongoing events and explore the city's diverse art scene on Musemap (musemap.art). You can browse other museums in Amsterdam or see what's on now.
