Saturday, July 12, 2014

HISTORY & ART IN AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam was my first foray into Europe and I do believe I picked a wonderful city to start in. Not only was it so beautiful... old world, but modern at the same time, but I loved all the little pleasures that came with it.  Traveling by boat was very different.

 
I also like that people seem to put a lot of effort into getting dressed. It was something evident people must have thought about before exiting their homes. I was tickled, and was told to make sure I took some of my style along with.

my joe jeans and Diesel jacket came in handy for art and dinner
 
 Since we got the dirt and mu naughty sexual escapades and out of the way first....now on to some more sites. Amsterdam offers many cultural experiences in the city and out. This post I'll share some of the sobering and sparkling places we went in the city, and in the next post some flowers and windmills!
 
 
Anne Frank is one of Amsterdam’s most well known former residents. The Anne Frank House at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam is where she lived in hiding with her family for more than two years during World War II. I think I even remember it being said on the tour that they only had like three days to go before they would have been safe. Now converted into a museum it contains a sobering exhibition about the persecution of the Jews during the war, as well as discrimination in general.
 

 The doorway to the annex was concealed behind a specially constructed movable bookcase. On August 4 1944, their hiding place was betrayed. The people in hiding were deported to various concentration camps. Only Otto Frank survived the war. Anne’s diary from the period was published and became a bestseller worldwide.


The rooms at the Anne Frank House still portray the atmosphere of the period spent in hiding. Historical documents, photographs, film images and original objects that belonged to those in hiding and those who assisted them help illustrate the events that took place. Anne’s original diary and other notebooks are also on display in the museum.

Amsterdam, the city of creative culture and picturesque sights. Known for its liberal attitudes, canal rings and some of the finest museums in the world. One of them, the Van Gogh Museum.....

 
There is enough Vincent van Gogh work to fill up two stories and a couple of intense hours. It is the largest collection of the artist’s works, with more than 200 paintings as well as hundreds of drawings, letters and some personal belongings. For a more immersion into his mind, the museum also displays a collection of Van Gogh’s fellow painters, contemporaries and a source of inspiration to his work; as well as artists whom he inspired – From Monet and Gauguin to FĂ©lix Vallotton. The fact that one of the two versions of “Sunflowers” has been lent to the Tate Museum in London came as a bit of a downer. However it compensates by so many other breath taking works such as Irises, Starry Night and self portraits and yes, the Wheatfield with Crows – the revolutionary masterpiece, raw and turbulent, no less than the painting that brings Modern Art into the world and the last he produced before committing suicide.
 
 
Going to Amsterdam and missing this museum would be, for an art lover, pretty much as going to Rome and missing the architecture. Van Gogh is an institution for art and well celebrated here.
 
 
The Homomonument is a memorial in the centre of Amsterdam and worth a look...... 
 

It commemorates all gay men and lesbians who have been subjected to persecution because of their homosexuality. Opened in 1987, it takes the form of three large pink triangles made of granite, set into the ground so as to form a larger triangle, on the bank of the Keizersgracht canal, near the historic Westerkerk church. The Homomonument was designed to "inspire and support lesbians and gays in their struggle against denial, oppression and discrimination." It was the first monument in the world to commemorate gays and lesbians who were killed by the Nazis
 
 
 
 The Rembrandt House was a little something extra we had time to see while there. Rembrandt lived and painted here in this house between 1639 and 1658!!!!!!!! It is now a museum, and the only place where his graphics are permanently exhibited.
 
 
 
The house was built on two lots in the eastern part of the city. Many rich merchants and artists settled in this new part of town back then. Next door in a new modern building that in now also part of the museum complex. It very very cool to think we were where this artist once was, creating master pieces.
 
 
more to come........

34 comments:

  1. FABULOUS art tour, mistress! to think you saw some of the world's famous paintings (e.g., starry night) makes me green with envy.

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  2. Wow. Just the idea of being so close to these works, artist lives and the history of Anne Frank just gives me chills. I had no idea any of this was on Amsterdam. Damn you gots some great style, any without style on?

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  3. I am sooo enjoying your travelogue. I vividly remember reading Anne Frank in school.

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  4. That had to be an amazing experience! This will always be fond memories for you I'm sure. Loving my art viewing look. I'm guessing your a handsome devil. And how lucky to view such art.

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  5. Fabulous, fun, cool, informative, educational, LGBT, sobering, tour, and might I add that you are a stunning tour guide!

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  6. I visited it in 2002...Very humbling experience at the Frank House. I wished I had more time to go to the Van Gogh. And your right on about the fashion. Men dressed very fine there.

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  7. wow. great post on your excursion. I can't even imagine the feeling inside the house. To see such great art work up close most have been a real pleasure. thanks for posting!

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  8. Went their years ago while in Europe, and I took my time walking through their hide out and seeing her room. It felt strange but amazing to even be there. It's a must see/do if you are ever in Amsterdam. The other museums look incredible.

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  9. I would love to visit all those places! I think Amsterdam is going on my "must visit" list now.

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    1. Yes you should, you would absolutely love it Debs!

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  10. Now that's what I'm talking about... art, history and a little fashion thrown in for good measure. ;-)

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    1. Yes,just for did I included that! Not many clothes at night!!!!!!!!

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  11. What another great treat to see. I don't know I could do the Anne Frank house, although it is interesting to see. What a real treat to sew such famous works of art! I have tingles just seeing them. This is so neat to see, thank you for sharing it with us. Loving your art showing ensemble!!!!

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  12. Some very cool sites! Van Gogh is one of my favorites so I would enjoy that, and the whole Rembrandt House would give me a,feeling of overwhelming, just knowing he lived there, how cool.

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  13. I am really enjoying these post also. I'd say you left no stone unturned on your first trip!!! Amsterdam just looks amazing. I really enjoyed the story of the Homomounument

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  14. I'm gonna have to join the crowd and add this city to my bucket list too! I had no idea there was so much to do there. Your so lucky to see such things.

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  15. The Rembrandt House is very cool! Not often we get such a cute tour guide!

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  16. This is marvellous (and the previous post)! The thought provoking; the history; the life - You've turned it into AmsterGLAM!

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  17. This is the most phenomenal vacation yet! Great sites.

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  18. I too remember reading the Diary of Anne Frank, but I don't know I could see the house without getting emotional. The VanGogh is jaw dropping. I have always loved Irises.

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  19. Like some of the others, I'm beginning to think I should plan a trip!!!! Endless things to see and do. I had no idea that's where the Van Gogh museum was either. Very cool post.

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  20. A trip to always remember that's for sure. Some great memories.

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  21. I am just soaking up these fabulous posts!!! I would love to see these sights in person. And how fabulous you look!!

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  22. I adore Amsterdam, and these are just a few of the reasons why. Lovely post Mistress.

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  23. Very nice and interesting sites. But I can't tell for once by your crotch what time it is.

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  24. I am beginning to be surprised you came back at all. What a flair for culture they have.

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  25. We missed the Rembrandt House on our trip, didn't even know about it. The Van Gogh Museum is so lovely, one of my favorites, the the Frank house we saw, but didn't go in. I was afraid to become emotional. and may I say what handsome taste with that outfit?

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  26. You even travel in style!!!!! You have inspired me to re create the outfit, loving those jeans!!! And the sites must have been awe inspiring!!

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  27. Damn boy, strike a pose!!!! I also am enjoying this trip. How nice to see such rich history. Another beauty of a post.

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  28. Hello cutie! I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to get you out of those jeans! For myself of course!!!!! Some great sites , I'm loving the art museums.

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  29. Is it wrong I just wanna rip your clothes off?!?!?! Amazing day.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!