Although you might not be aware of it, Dutch customs and ways of life are quite diverse and interesting. The staples of their artistic legacy are the wide range of museums, which is exactly why touring this amazing country is incredible. The Netherlands has hundreds of exhibit homes and museums that you can go to, and some of the biggest cities are nicknamed the capitals of Europe.
So, is there anything better than visiting these museums while there? Of course, there isn’t. However, since there are various museums to choose from, you might feel a bit stressed about which ones you should tour – but fear not, this article might help you. The text below will feature some of the best museums you should visit while in the Netherlands. Let’s take a closer look:
The Museums/Galleries You Should Go To
1. Tour The Place Devoted to The Incredible Van Gogh
Now, this is a name that you must have heard of during your life. If you did not hear about the name, you must have heard some of the most famous composition titles such as “The Starry Night”. If you did not hear about that composition, then there is one thing that you definitely heard of – the painter who cut off his own ear.
If you are visiting Amsterdam, you should visit this museum that is entirely dedicated to Van Gogh’s pieces of art. It features a collection that is permanently displayed, hence, you can see and follow Gogh’s development over the course of his career. Another thing that is interesting is that it also has several rotating expositions based on some themes from this artist’s portraits.
2. Tour The Largest Museum, Boijmans Van Beuningen
If you find yourself in Rotterdam, do not, I repeat, do not miss out on the chance to tour the biggest and most versatile museum titled Boijmans Van Beuningen. Once there, you can view a wide range of pieces some even originate in the Middle Ages. Of course, you will also have the chance to see a lot of modern pieces as well.
This place also allows you to view some of the pictures done by the most influential Dutch artists, including Magritte, Dali, and naturally, Rembrandt! It is an extremely interesting place because you can see various things, which kind of means that you can experience a combination of historic, new, modern, and famous works of art.
Also, read about Top 10 Best Museums in the World
3. Tour The Geometrical Gallery, Escher
Hague is not only famous for hosting the International Court of Justice – which is extremely important for the entire world – it is also famous for its Escher museum that is the haven to various portraits done by the amazingly talented M.C. Escher. He had, let’s say, an interesting approach to his paintings, since he loved geometry, and he also liked to explore space and infinity.
Even if you are not the largest fine art fan in the world, you will definitely have a lot of fun when visiting this extraordinary museum. The pictures are all twisted and weird, hence, you may need some time to figure out what it represents exactly. So, if you are looking for a fun place to see, choose this one.
4. Tour The Museum That is Most-Visited, Rijksmuseum
Now, the first thing that is worth mentioning is that you should visit this museum outside of the tourist season in the Netherlands – hence if you visit this place during spring and winter, head to this museum. It is a place that will allow you to learn a lot of things about the entire history and culture of this country.
It is the home of over one million pieces of art and you should not worry, they have over 75 thousand pieces on permanent display. There are even breathtaking pieces done by the well-known Rembrandt – which is quite normal since it has over 2.000 Golden Age paintings! If you are a total art nerd, do not miss out on seeing this mesmerizing place.
The Most Famous Dutch Painters
There are thousands of Dutch artists, however, the list below will feature the most famous ones. These people include:
- Rembrandt (1606-1669) – Rembrandt is one of the major names that dominated the entire Golden Age of the Netherlands, and he is considered to be one of the most important people in this period. He is often referred to as the “Master of Light And Shadow”, which makes sense when you see his incredible light and shadow effects.
- Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) – A post-impressionist painter has had a very difficult life, and fame only found him when he passed away. Today, Van Gogh is considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time. His work is quite notable, especially since he uses a lot of vibrant colors.
- Theo Van Doesburg (1883-1931) – An interesting thing about this painter is that he wanted to be an actor, however, when he was 19-years old, he started studying and learning how to paint. Famous for his geometrical paintings and bold colors, he remains one of the best Dutch painters to date. If you want to learn more about this Dutch painter, click here for more information.
- M.C. Escher (1898-1972) – Although he is a Dutch painter, he is one of the most famous graphic artists in the world. He is often referred to as the creator of modern tessellations. He managed to produce 8 mezzotints, which are regarded as masterpieces of his technique, as well as the best pieces of art in the world.
Conclusion
Whether or not you are an art fan, some places are worth your time. As you were able to read in the article above, there are various museums and galleries that you can choose to visit. And, if you ever find yourself in the Netherlands, do not miss out on visiting at least one or two places mentioned in the article above.
So, now that you know which museums and galleries you cannot miss seeing, you should not waste any more time. Instead, start thinking about and planning your trip to the Netherlands, and do not forget to include some of the places mentioned above. Trust me when I say it, you will definitely not regret it.