Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Marks Five Years of 'Women of the Rijksmuseum' Initiative with Special Events and New Art
Amsterdam's iconic Rijksmuseum is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its "Women of the Rijksmuseum" research project throughout March 2026. This milestone is marked by an extensive public program, featuring a two-day symposium, various events, and the debut display of a newly acquired painting.
Highlighting Women's Stories in the Rijksmuseum Collection
Since 2021, the "Women of the Rijksmuseum" interdisciplinary team has been dedicated to increasing the visibility of women within the museum's collection and exhibitions. Curators, educators, and researchers actively identify and document narratives by and about women, conducting new research and presenting these stories to the public.
Over the past five years, the project has led to several significant outcomes. These include an annual "Women in the Museum" symposium, various publications such as Geesje & Anna, and exhibitions like "Point of View" and "Women on Paper." The museum has also significantly expanded its collection with works by notable women artists, including Gesina ter Borch, Maria van Oosterwijck, Aleijda Wolfsen, Maria Sibylla Merian, Johanna Koerten, and contemporary artists such as Maria Roosen and Carrie Mae Weems.
To date, researchers have investigated over 450 objects and enriched more than 200 gallery texts with female perspectives. The project is set to continue for several more years, with ongoing research, collaborations, public initiatives, and knowledge exchange forming its core activities.
Introducing a New Acquisition: Fraction de la réalité by Nicolaas Warb
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Rijksmuseum will display Fraction de la réalité (1950) by Nicolaas Warb for the first time, starting March 4, 2026. This artwork was acquired and restored by the museum last year. Nicolaas Warb, the pseudonym of Sophia Warburg, was a Dutch artist who moved to Paris in 1929 and developed a distinctive visual language within geometrical abstract art.
Fraction de la réalité is one of Warb's larger paintings, characterized by an interplay of primary colors and geometric forms. It features two prominent triangular fields, one dark blue and one dark yellow, separated by sharp lines. A soft, light blue rounded shape adds a contrasting element, breaking from the strict geometry.
March Public Program and Events at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
Visitors to the Rijksmuseum can engage with the project's themes through a diverse program of events during March:
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Women in the Museum XL: The (Museum's) Future is Female This two-day conference on March 9 and 10 offers a chance to reflect on gender- and women-focused research in museums. The program includes lectures, panel discussions, and workshops by figures such as journalist Angela Saini and artist Mark Miller.
- Cost: Regular €125, Student €50, Livestream €27.50
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In-Gallery Storytelling by Experts Learn directly from experts of the "Women of the Rijksmuseum" research project during free storytelling sessions every Tuesday and Thursday throughout March at 13:00. These sessions begin in the Grand Hall on the second floor (museum admission not included).
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Workshop: Figure Drawing in the Grand Hall Unleash your artistic side every Saturday and Sunday in March, from 12:00 to 15:00. This free workshop draws inspiration from artists like Thérèse Schwartze and models such as Geesje Kwak (museum admission not included).
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Lecture: Medusa Looks Back: Women, Power and Myth-Making On Sunday, March 29, from 14:00 to 15:15, join art historian Janina Ramirez and professor Jacqueline Klooster for a lecture exploring women, power, and myth-making.
- Cost: €7.50 (museum admission not included)
More details on these events are available via the Rijksmuseum's public program page.
The "Women of the Rijksmuseum" project receives support from numerous funds and private benefactors, reflecting broad community engagement with its mission.
To discover more about the Rijksmuseum and other cultural highlights in Amsterdam, explore the city's museum listings or browse what's on on Musemap (musemap.art).
