Rijksmuseum Amsterdam's Dynamic Year: Key Exhibitions, Acquisitions, and Future Growth
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam had a significant year in 2025, welcoming over 2.3 million visitors and making notable announcements about its future expansion. The institution continued to enrich its collection, presented a diverse range of exhibitions, and enhanced public access through digital innovation.
A Year of High Visitor Engagement and Expansion
In 2025, the Rijksmuseum recorded a high visitor count of over 2.3 million people, with an average satisfaction rating of 8.65 out of 10. Beyond the physical museum, its online presence also saw substantial growth, attracting 7.5 million website visits and reaching 50 million people via social media platforms. Educational initiatives brought 405,000 children to the museum, including 155,000 who visited as part of school groups.
A landmark development for the institution was the joint announcement with the Municipality of Eindhoven regarding plans for a new Rijksmuseum branch in that city. This ambitious project, expected to be completed within six to eight years, has received significant support from ASML.
Spotlight on Exhibitions and Artworks
Visitors throughout 2025 could experience a rich program of exhibitions and new additions to the collection. The autumn exhibition, At Home in the 17th Century, proved particularly popular, drawing over 100,000 visitors. This unique presentation, featuring a design collaboration with theatre maker Steef de Jong and an English audio tour narrated by Helena Bonham Carter, continues to welcome guests until 11 January 2026.
Other notable exhibitions included American Photography, the first comprehensive survey of American photography in Europe, and Fiona Tan: Monomania, a contemporary artist's exploration of the museum's vast collections. The Rijksmuseum Gardens and building also showcased approximately 25 sculptures and 30 light installations by artist Isamu Noguchi. Since September, Steve McQueen's 34-hour artwork, Occupied City, has been continuously shown on the Rijksmuseum's façade, remaining on view until 25 January.
The museum also made significant acquisitions, including Triton (1652), an exceptional terracotta sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, placed on permanent display through a private loan. A rare 1830 condom, believed to be made from a sheep's appendix and featuring an erotic print, also joined the collection. Furthermore, a Vanitas still life by Maria van Oosterwijck, one of the most important Dutch women painters of the 17th century, was acquired and presented in the Gallery of Honour as part of the "Women of the Rijksmuseum" research project.
Innovations in Collection Access and Preservation
Innovation played a key role in enhancing the visitor experience and preserving valuable artworks. The Rijksmuseum launched a new visual search feature for its Collection Online, using AI to allow users to explore artworks by similarity in shape, color, style, and object type.
Progress also continued on "Operation Night Watch," the largest research and restoration project ever undertaken on Rembrandt's masterpiece. Conducted in a glass chamber visible to visitors, the team began removing varnish during 2025, and a discovery was made that the barking dog in The Night Watch was based on an early 17th-century drawing by Adriaen van de Venne.
The Rijksmuseum expressed gratitude for the continued support from government funding, businesses, foundations, and private donors, all of which are vital for its ongoing operations and future initiatives.
To explore the diverse collections and plan your next visit to cultural highlights, use Musemap (musemap.art). You can discover what's currently on by browsing exhibitions in Amsterdam or find more unique places by exploring other museums in Amsterdam.
