Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Reflects on a Year of Milestones, Led by Record-Breaking Vermeer Exhibition
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has concluded a truly remarkable year, marked by unprecedented visitor numbers and significant achievements across its collections, exhibitions, and community initiatives. The highlight was undoubtedly the Vermeer exhibition, which attracted a historic number of visitors and garnered global acclaim. As 2023 draws to a close, the museum also launches a new way for art enthusiasts worldwide to explore the Vermeer exhibition through an online 360° tour.
A Year of Unprecedented Visitor Engagement
In 2023, the Rijksmuseum welcomed 2.7 million visitors, with an impressive average satisfaction rating of 8.5. Over one million of these guests were from the Netherlands, while international visitors primarily came from the United States (12%), followed by France and Germany (both 7%). The museum's digital presence also saw substantial growth, with 8.2 million website visits and a social media reach of 77 million, allowing millions more to engage with its collections and stories. General Director Taco Dibbits expressed gratitude to all visitors and collaborators, emphasizing the widespread enjoyment and inspiration derived from art, history, and creativity.
The Triumph of the Vermeer Exhibition
The Vermeer exhibition, which ran for four months in the spring, became the most visited exhibition in the Rijksmuseum's history. It drew more than 650,000 attendees, partly due to extended opening hours, and received an average visitor rating of 8.7. Critically acclaimed worldwide, the exhibition left a lasting impression. For those who missed it or wish to revisit the experience, a new 360° online tour is now available, allowing access to the exhibition from anywhere. An earlier online project, Closer to Johannes Vermeer, had already engaged an additional 900,000 global viewers.
Expanding Reach and Collection Highlights
2023 saw the Rijksmuseum's influence extend beyond its walls. The exhibition Slavery. Ten True Stories of Dutch Colonial Slavery toured internationally, including a month-long display at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, accompanied by a programme of events featuring international speakers. This exhibition is set to continue its global tour into 2024.
A significant acquisition for the museum this year was Rembrandt’s masterpiece, The Standard Bearer, purchased by the Dutch state with public support. After a national tour that saw it visited by over 155,000 people across 12 provinces, the painting is now permanently displayed in the Rijksmuseum’s Gallery of Honour.
The museum also acquired over 5,200 other objects, including four gilt-silver salt cellars by Amsterdam silversmith Johannes Lutma, a 17th-century gold ruby glass, and three works by British artist Marlow Moss.
Diverse Exhibitions and Collaborations
Beyond its permanent collection, the Rijksmuseum presented a variety of temporary exhibitions. Mission Masterpiece offered a hands-on activity experience for children, transforming a wing into a giant laboratory. The gardens hosted an exhibition dedicated to British land artist Richard Long, while a major show featured 90 works from the collection of Rotterdam’s Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.
Collaborations with other Dutch museums intensified through the new Match initiative, which saw 12 museums across the Netherlands display a Rijksmuseum masterpiece alongside a work from their own collections, attracting over 140,000 visitors.
Commitment to Accessibility, Sustainability, and Research
The museum continued its dedication to accessibility, launching the Closer to Vermeer project, which brings actual-size replicas of four Vermeer paintings to nursing homes across the Netherlands for those unable to visit. A new navigation system for visitors with visual impairments was also introduced via the eZwayZ app.
Significant progress was made in sustainability efforts, with the museum reducing gas consumption by 97% compared to 2019 by replacing central heating boilers with heat pumps. The GoGreen project was initiated to research environmentally friendly conservation methods. Further, the Women of the Rijksmuseum initiative saw increased research into female donors and artists, leading to new acquisitions like a pastel self-portrait by Thérèse Schwartze.
The Rijksmuseum also received its largest-ever private donation, a pledge of €12.5 million to support its annual sculpture exhibitions in the gardens for the next decade.
Looking Ahead to 2024
With a vibrant year behind it, the Rijksmuseum anticipates an equally engaging 2024 programme, featuring a major exhibition on Frans Hals and a showcase of 4,000 years of Asian bronze art, among other highlights. The museum remains grateful for the vital support from government subsidies, corporate partners, funds, and private donors, which are essential for its continued operations and ambitious programs.
To explore more about this iconic institution and other cultural gems in the city, visit Musemap (musemap.art) for a curated list of museums in Amsterdam or to discover current exhibitions.
