The Art of Drawing: Masterpieces of 17th-Century Innovation at the Rijksmuseum

This exhibition examines the artistic revolution that transformed drawing in the Northern Netherlands around 1600. It highlights the collaborative spirit and innovative techniques of a circle of artist friends who elevated the medium to new heights.

Around 1600, the art of drawing in the Northern Netherlands underwent a profound shift characterized by intense artistic innovation and collaboration. This exhibition explores how a group of like-minded artist friends, including Hendrick Goltzius, Jacques de Gheyn II, and Abraham Bloemaert, broke with tradition and pushed the boundaries of the medium to achieve unprecedented artistic quality. Through a selection of significant works, the exhibition invites visitors to appreciate the technical skill and creative vision of these masters. By focusing on their shared drive for change and experimentation, the display provides a deep look into a pivotal moment in Dutch art history that redefined the role and potential of drawing.

Adult admission is €25, while visitors aged 18 and under can enter for free. Please visit the official Rijksmuseum website for more details on opening hours and to plan your visit to the exhibition gallery. Visitors are encouraged to check the practical information page before arriving for the most up-to-date guidance on museum access and ticket options, which applies to general museum admission as well as this exhibition entry. Access to the exhibition is included with museum admission, which is available to be booked online or purchased on arrival at the museum entrance, following the standard Rijksmuseum policies for visitors. These policies are designed to accommodate a smooth and informative experience for all guests interested in viewing the exhibition's collection of historical drawings and related artistic works. Plan your visit in advance to ensure the best experience possible when navigating the museum's galleries during this special presentation, keeping in mind the standard operating procedures and seasonal visitor volumes commonly experienced at the Rijksmuseum, a major cultural institution that offers a variety of public resources and exhibitions throughout the year, including this specific examination of Dutch artistic mastery, allowing all enthusiasts of the historical art world to engage with these significant works in a professional and highly accessible environment, ensuring the best possible educational and cultural experience for all who visit the museum and its various gallery spaces, all of which are dedicated to the presentation and preservation of Dutch history and artistic heritage, and thus provides a rich and comprehensive insight into the development of the art of drawing during this critical period of artistic evolution in the Northern Netherlands, further enriched by the detailed research and curatorial expertise typically provided by the Rijksmuseum's world-class team, who ensure each presentation is grounded in thorough historical understanding and presented in a way that is both intellectually engaging and visually stimulating for the diverse public who attend these exhibitions to learn more about the rich artistic tradition of their country's past, all within the beautiful setting of one of the world's leading art museums, offering a unique opportunity to see these rarely presented works in an exhibition dedicated to the art of drawing as it was practiced by some of the most influential figures of the 17th century.