Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Reflects on a Year of Major Exhibitions and Milestones in 2024
Amsterdam's iconic Rijksmuseum concluded 2024 with a highly successful year, welcoming approximately 2.5 million visitors through its doors. This significant turnout included over 900,000 Dutch residents and 445,000 children, making it one of the most visited years for the museum in the past decade, surpassed only by the Rembrandt Year in 2019 and the Vermeer exhibition in 2023. Public satisfaction remained high, with visitors rating their experience at an average of 8.6 out of 10. The museum also expanded its digital reach, attracting 7.2 million website visitors and engaging 58.5 million people across its social media platforms.
Key Exhibitions and Initiatives of 2024 for Visitors
Throughout 2024, the Rijksmuseum offered a diverse program of exhibitions and significant projects that captivated audiences and furthered art historical research:
- Rembrandt's The Night Watch: Following extensive research, the meticulous process of removing the varnish layer from Rembrandt’s masterpiece, The Night Watch, commenced in November. This crucial conservation work was supported by main partner AkzoNobel, along with various funds and private donors.
- Frans Hals Exhibition: Spring 2024 saw the presentation of the first major exhibition dedicated to the work of Frans Hals, a prominent 17th-century Dutch painter. This collaborative effort brought together pieces from the National Gallery in London, the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, and the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem.
- Point of View: In summer, the Point of View exhibition explored evolving representations of gender in art throughout history, offering new perspectives on the museum's own collection.
- Lee Ufan in the Gardens: The Rijksmuseum Gardens hosted the first solo exhibition in the Netherlands by Korean artist Lee Ufan during the summer. This outdoor display was freely accessible to the public.
- Asian Bronze. 4000 Years of Beauty: The year concluded with a significant international exhibition, Asian Bronze. 4000 Years of Beauty, which gathered over 75 masterpieces from diverse countries including India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Thailand. This exhibition runs until 12 January 2025.
- Nationwide Reach: The Rijksmuseum extended its presence across the Netherlands by lending 766 objects from its collection to 62 museums. It also continued its Treasures of the Rijksmuseum series, showcasing works in various Dutch city museums such as Museum Gouda and the Westfries Museum in Hoorn.
- Looted Exhibition: In partnership with the Jewish Cultural Quarter, the museum co-organised the Looted. Personal Stories about the Looting and Restitution of Jewish Cultural Property exhibition, which was displayed at Amsterdam’s National Holocaust Museum and Jewish Museum from May to October.
- Women of the Rijksmuseum: The ongoing research project "Women of the Rijksmuseum" continued its mission to highlight the contributions of women in Dutch cultural history, resulting in new audio tours, updated exhibit texts, a symposium, and the acquisition of eight works by female artists.
- Collection Online Launch: In late November, the Rijksmuseum launched its innovative "Collection Online" platform. This AI-enabled digital resource provides broad access to the museum's extensive knowledge and collection.
Notable Acquisitions and Long-Term Loans
With the generous support of various donors, the Rijksmuseum enriched its collection with several significant acquisitions and long-term loans in 2024:
- Gesina ter Borch's Portrait: The museum acquired the only known signed oil painting by Gesina ter Borch, a portrait of her brother Moses ter Borch, painted after 1667.
- Maria Sibylla Merian's Metamorphosis: A first edition of Maria Sibylla Merian’s Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium (1705) was added, a seminal work in natural history illustration.
- Modern Japanese Lacquer: A prominent collection of Modern Japanese Lacquer was transferred to the museum by private collectors Jan Dees and René van der Star.
- Hans van Manen's Photography: Photographer Hans van Manen, along with his partner Henk van Dijk, donated his complete photographic oeuvre, comprising 86 photographs.
- Judith Leyster and Vincent van Gogh: The collection was further enhanced by the long-term loan of Judith Leyster’s Two Children with a Cat (c.1630) from a private party, and three paintings by Vincent van Gogh from the P. and N. de Boer Foundation.
The Rijksmuseum deeply values the ongoing support from government, businesses, funds, and private donors, which remains vital for its continued operation and enriching cultural programs. For those planning future visits to Amsterdam's cultural institutions, you can find details on current exhibitions and explore other fascinating places to visit by browsing museums in Amsterdam or checking what's on on Musemap (musemap.art).
