The maid concentratedly prepares a simple meal with bread and milk. She is shown when she pours milk into a bowl. As if we, as a spectator, witness an act that she has been carrying out for already 340 years. Do you see her blue apron? That is painted in the most expensive blue of the 17th century. In weight even more expensive than gold. It is made of Lapis-Lazuli, a semi-precious stone.
This painting of the holy family dates from the 15th century. Everyone is present. The depiction of the space and the materials is very refined. You probably recognize Jesus. During the tour you will learn more about the depicted other members of the family as well as the symbolism of the objects painted in this, or in similar paintings.
You can probably imagine that this ship model was an eye-catcher when it decorated the council chamber of the Admiralty of Zeeland in Middelburg (in the south-western Netherlands). It is a model of a 74-gun warship. The model ship William Rex symbolizes the modernity and strength of the fleet.
In the Rijksmuseum you will also find a war plane from the First World War. It was designed by the Dutchman Frits Koolhoven, who worked as an aircraft designer for an English aircraft factory. It was the fastest plane at the time.
Petronella Oortman's dollhouse was not a children's toy. The estimated costs are around 30,000 guilders. In the 17th century you could buy with this fortune a real canal house on one of the most expensive canals, the so called Herengracht. All objects in the dollhouse are made from the original materials as their real counterpieces, such as wood, tin, silver, porcelain, etc. The miniature porcelain was ordered in China. And Amazon.com was not invented yet. Do you know how long Petronella had to wait before her order from China arrived in the Netherlands? Probably around 1.5 years.
This Delft blue earthenware is a giant flower or tulip vase. It consists of 6 loose, stacked waterproof flower boxes, with room for 40 flowers. This type of pottery was popular with the wealthy upper class of the 17th century. And the tulips in the 17th century? Everyone loved them.
The rows are currently not that long anymore, because nowadays you need a time slot ticket in advance. It is not possible to visit the Vincent van Gogh Museum without a pre-purchased ticket. So make sure you have a ticket aquired online before you visit the Van Gogh Museum.
Album: Private Highlights Tour Vincent van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
"Have nine orchards on the go; one white, one pink, one almost red pink, one white and blue, one pink and grey, one green and pink."
Letter (599) from: Vincent van Gogh
To: Emile Bernard
Date: Arles, Thursday, 19 April 1888
Album: Private Highlights Tour Vincent van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
In Arles, Van Gogh rented the yellow house with the green window shutters on the corner. His plan was to make it an artist's house.
The artist Paul Gauguin visited him on October 23, 1888. The artists would work together for 2 months, until an argument ended their collaboration. Unfortunately, the yellow house no longer exists. It was destroyed on June 25, 1944, during World War II.
Album: Private Highlights Tour Vincent van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
Vincent van Gogh painted by John Peter Russel.
Vincent met the Australian painter John Peter Russel in Paris. They became friends. It is probably the only realistic portrait that exists of Vincent van Gogh.
Album: Private Highlights Tour Vincent van Gogh Museum Amsterdam