These fascinating paintings will make you redefine Amsterdam

Published on by 100cobbledroads

The Dutch capital will fuel your appetite for art. No, seriously!

Which city de-criminalized homosexuality as early as the 1800s and celebrated the first legal same-sex marriage in 2001? Where do hundreds of ‘coffee shops’ offer a menu of cannabis products openly? Where does one find a famed red-light district with legit sex shops, theatres, peep shows and even tours for those who are game? On a lighter note, for the less risky traveller, which city allows the thrill of bicycling without helmets? That’s illegal too!!

Full marks for guessing. But labelling the original ‘Sin City’ as a frivolous hippie destination is not fair play. Amsterdam’s controversial liberal policies owe credit to a centuries-old culture of tolerance and assimilation. Maybe that’s how it ended up with such a prolific art scene. So, retune that radar and get ready ogling of a different kind.

Where it all started

The Dutch National Museum, Rijksmuseum, delivers matchless masterstrokes from the Middle Ages to the present. The spectacular brickwork facade and quaint towers announce the glory that lies inside. Over 8,000 paintings and objets d’art spread over 100 galleries over four floors. There’s a Royal Collection, 14th to 17th centuries Flemish art, luxury inlaid furniture, brilliant Delftware, pristine porcelain, extraordinary 17th-century dolls’ houses, and even finds from a 16th-century Dutch ship stranded on a Russian island. Now, don’t be greedy, make your choices.

Recommended must-do: Trace the blossoming of Dutch art during the 17th-century Golden Age. Find the common theme through these Baroque artworks. One, a sense of richness and grandeur. Two, dramatic use of emotion. Reason? Catholic versus Protestant struggle for survival in 17th-century Europe. Catholic artists used all forms of art to drive home their message…and with such elan! Masters of Flemish Baroque like Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter and Frans Hals encouraged countless painters to produce a rich heritage of 5-10 million artworks (portrait art, still life and landscapes) for middle class homes. Objects for embellishment and investment, free of encumbrances of spirituality and religion. A wave of unforgettable images in a photographically realistic style, where the stars were ordinary people…merchants, professionals, wives, servants, children, soldiers, clerks, tradesmen, living in ordinary households and going about their ordinary lives. Unassuming, unpretentious. Staring at these masterpieces of average people immortalised as fine art, you feel uplifted.

The terrific trio

Johannes Vermeer, master of tranquility and stillness thrills you with four rare paintings. Gazing at the small canvas of ‘The Milkmaid’, you can almost hear the trickle of the pouring milk. The work of Jan Steen offers a delightful slice of 17th-century Dutch life. Think of it as light entertainment sprinkled with folk wisdom. Children teaching a cat to dance. Merrymaking at a family gathering. Seemingly insignificant subjects that would have evoked contempt from many a conventional artist of the time.

Vermeer-Milkmaid
Vermeer, Milkmaid. 1657. Courtesy: Wikipedia
Vermeer - pearl earring
Vermeer’s iconic, Pearl Earring. 1665 (displayed at Mauritshuis, Hague) Courtesy: Wikipedia
Jan Steen - Cat
Jan Steen, The Dancing Lesson. 1679. Courtesy: Wikipedia
Jan Steen-Dancing Couple
Jan Steen, Dancing Couple. 1663. Courtesy: Wikipedia

But, it is the Rembrandt collection that really takes your breath away. And you know why this Dutch genius is considered one of the greatest visual artists of all times. The paintings have a photo-like ‘realness’. His uncanny ability to capture the wrinkle of the skin and the twinkle of light, fill you with silenced awe. Hushed whispers and stunned gazes from the audience speak volumes about the impact of his craft. Refer to the audio guides for a succinct, yet apt gist of each framed beauty on the walls. Broad thick brushstrokes, layers of glazes for extra gravity, restrained colour palette dominated by dark earth tones and golden highlights, brilliant lights and heavy shadows to illumine faces, jewels and rich fabrics and rich, dark, transparent backgrounds will have you transfixed.

Rembrandt-Three Singers
Rembrandt, Three Singers. 1625. Courtesy: Wikipedia
Parable of the rich man, by Rembrandt
Rembrandt, Parable of the rich fool. 1626. Courtesy: Wikipedia

As you scan the paintings for little details that the audio guide describes, feel yourself nodding in understanding. The mini-tutorial on Rembrandt’s art style and life is revealing…and the fact he that actually went bankrupt towards the latter part of his life, will shock you. How would he react if he knew that one of paintings sold for a record $180 million USD million at Christie’s recently!

Rembrandt, Marten Soolmans & Oopjen Coppit
Rembrandt, Marten Soolmans & Oopjen Coppit. 1634. Courtesy: Wikipedia

Close by, is the Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest collection of one of the Netherlands’ most famous artists. Take a coffee break first, and neutralise your senses because Van Gogh is a complete departure from the realist Dutch Baroque style. His creations are the perfect example of symbolism, truly characteristic of the Post-Impressionist era. 

Van Gogh-self portrait
Van Gogh, Self portrait. 1887. Courtesy: Wikipedia

200 paintings and 400 works on paper adorn its crisp modern walls, including The Bedroom, Irises, Wheat field with Crows and a number of self-portraits. Dramatic, imaginative, rhythmic, and emotional canvases with dense, sharp, swirling brushstrokes in a bright, opulent palette convey his frenzied thoughts and make inanimate objects pulse with life.

Van Gogh-Bedroom
Van Gogh, Bedroom in Arles. 1888. Courtesy: Wikipedia
Van Gogh Irises
Van Gogh, Irises. Courtesy: Wikipedia
Van Gogh-Wheatfield with crows
Van Gogh, Wheatfield with Crows. 1890. Courtesy: Wikipedia

In the Sunflower series, a wide spectrum of hues express the entire lifespan of the flowers, from the full bloom in bright yellow to the wilting and dying blossoms rendered in melancholy ochre. The brightness of the Provencal summer sun and the artist’s mindset appear in perfect sync. His ecstasy alternates with depression, from the sun-drenched colors and brilliant blue sky of South France to one of his last works, where the dark canvas shows with roads leading nowhere, and ominous black crows taking flight. Hadn’t he walked into a field like this one…and shot himself?

Van Gogh-Sunflowers
Van Gogh, Sunflowers, 1889. Courtesy: Wikipedia
Van Gogh-Six Sunflowers
Van Gogh, Six Sunflowers. 1945. Courtesy: Wikipedia

Art appetite satiated, stun your taste buds with some characteristic fusion food that the city flaunts with abandon. More works of art…on your plate this time. Between the gourmet bites, snatch a peek at the skinny gabled merchant houses and delicate church towers lining the charming canal waterways outside the windows. Moment of truth…Amsterdam and art seem synonymous with each other. Creativity flows like blood through the veins of Europe’s best-preserved 17th-century city. Quaint and jarring, traditional and contemporary, relaxed and inviting, delightful and adventurous. Unique. Individualistic. So comfortable in its own skin. Isn’t that what art is all about?

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Discover the arty side of Amsterdam

83 thoughts on “These fascinating paintings will make you redefine Amsterdam”

  1. You have just brought Dutch art back to life through this virtual tour. It’s fascinating to see such beautiful pieces at one stop. Such a refreshing perspective to Amsterdam. Cheers!!

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  3. OMG! these are some awesome paintings. Such creative work and beautiful creation. Dutch art is simply great. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  4. Very very true! Amsterdam is the quirkiest, coolest city ever! Sin city? I’d say, nothing is sin, in this city! I was in Amsterdam on a daytrip, so I unfortunately missed both Rijks Museuma and Van Gogh Museum! Hope I’ll go again to see these masterpieces myself!

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  6. What a great post and a great reminder that Amsterdam is so much more than coffee shops and red-light districts. I love the beauty of Amsterdam, both inside its great museums and on the streets and canals!

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  7. Would love to see some of this artwork in person. I always think of bicycles and picnics when I think of Amsterdam, and often forget about the wonderful museums. I can’t wait to visit someday! Thanks for this virtual tour of this historical and beautiful artwork.

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  8. Amsterdam is amazing! I absolutely loved it when I was there! The art and architecture is very special and must have took a long time designing! One of the best parts were all the different museums that were on offer!

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  17. Amazing! I really never thought of Amsterdam as a place of art and culture (probably just have too many immature friends who go there to party). Will have to head back again to explore!

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  18. Wow so many amazing artists! These paintings really do give a new reason to visit Amsterdam, I especially love Rembrandt, his work is so beautiful and fascinating!

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  19. These photos are mesmerizing and I thank you so much for putting them into context for me. I never would have associated these masterpieces with Amsterdam but it’s nice to understand this amazing city from such a unique angle.

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  22. I didn’t realise that so many of Van Gogh’s famous works were at the Rijksmuseum. We didn’t manage to get there when we went travelling in 2012 but if we go back to Europe I hope to visit more of the Netherlands.

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  23. These paintings are nice! Visiting places to see art isn’t the first think I think about when visiting Amsterdam but perhaps I need to add it to my list of must sees! It’s always nice to learn a little history in each city. 🙂

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  25. Thanks for this awesome post and tour. I never knew that Amsterdam has that rich art and culture. These all paintings are truly amazing and it will be awesome to see these master pieces in real.

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  26. These paintings are absolutely stunning. I’d love to visit Amsterdam. The museums look like a great way to spend a long weekend!

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  27. I’ve been to Amsterdam and didn’t love it…but that was a long time ago so I would like to try it again. I did enjoy the Van Gogh museum

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  28. I was actually surprised to see that this was in Amsterdam, linking it more likely to Italy or France. Such beautiful paintings and a great thing to have on an Amsterdam itinerary.

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  29. I remember studying these artists back at school and just loved them. I actually think the museums in Amsterdam are some of the best in the world. Such an underrated part of the city.

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  32. Thank you for sharing this! I love reading articles about Amsterdam since I am from the Netherlands but it does often focus on the same tourist attractions and puts coffee shops and the red light district at the center of things. But Amsterdam has a lot more to offer as you perfectly show here 🙂

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  33. Thank you for sharing this! I love reading articles about Amsterdam since I am from the Netherlands but it does often focus on the same tourist attractions and puts coffee shops and the red light district at the center of things. But Amsterdam has a lot more to offer as you perfectly show here 🙂

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  37. You’ve got a great compilation here. I went to Amsterdam many years ago on a Contiki tour and specifically remember visiting the Van Gogh Museum because I had a book about him when I was younger 🙂

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  40. Something we wish we would have done in Amsterdam was the Rijksmuseum. We opted for other attractions but were told nothing but great things about it. It really is incredible to see what Rembrandt was able to do on canvas. We were also a little disappointed that we didn’t go see the Van Gogh museum especially after a famed dutchman. Amsterdam is definitely a city we would like to see again.

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  41. Beautiful paintings indeed! We don’t actually have an artistic hand, but we truly appreciate works of art. In fact, when we visit museums, we always make sure to check out paintings. They tell a lot about the history and culture of the place.

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  42. I am in awe of the details that you have covered of these paintings. I could not visit this when I last went to Amsterdam and now after this post I feel the urge to head over asap and explore it. Well Done indeed

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  45. We visited the National Art Gallery in London last year specifically to see the Van Gogh collection, but it was closed! A couple of months later we returned to London and tried again – still no luck!! It’s so easy to write off Amsterdam as a not-so-serious destination for pot-heads and sex addicts, but your post puts it in a whole new light!

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  46. I loved your post. When I was in Amsterdam, my time was quite limited and I couldn’t visit the Rijksmuseum. Looks like I really missed out! I’m actually planing to come back soon so this will be incredibly handy when I’m planning where to stop in the museum!

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  48. When one thinks of Amsterdam, images of Tulips and meandering canals are what come to mind. But this is a fresh perspective. For me the treasures housed in the museums of Amsterdam have always held the edge over the other sights. The works of the masters like Van Gogh and Rembrandt spring to life stunningly in the pictures. Hope to get there to see the originals some day.

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