The Van Eeghen Drawing Book: A Rare 17th-Century Collection at the Rijksmuseum

This exhibition presents the remarkably intact 17th-century Van Eeghen Drawing Book, a rare survivor featuring spectacular drawings by the once-forgotten artist Rombout Uylenburgh. Visitors can explore the intricate artistry and history of this collection, which remained within the Van Eeghen family for over three centuries before being donated to the Rijksmuseum.

For over three centuries, the Van Eeghen Drawing Book remained a private family treasure, passed down through generations until its recent donation to the Rijksmuseum. This exhibition showcases the book, which is a rare, fully intact specimen from the early 17th century, as most comparable items were historically taken apart for their individual sheets. The book provides a unique window into the work of Rombout Uylenburgh, a celebrated painter in his time who served as a court painter in Kraków and later settled in Danzig. Visitors will be able to examine the artistic techniques employed by Uylenburgh and his workshop, including the dramatic use of blue paper as a midtone to heighten color contrast. Beyond the finished works, the book contains informal sketches, animal studies, and personal inscriptions that offer intimate glimpses into the lives of those who handled it. The exhibition also highlights the ongoing research into the book's origins, the mystery of the various hands involved in its creation, and the connections between the Uylenburgh family and Rembrandt.

Visitors are encouraged to book their museum visit online to experience the exhibition in the Rijksmuseum's room 2.7. Please refer to the official ticket portal to plan your visit and secure entry to the museum galleries where the book is on display.