Wow. I couldn't believe that my Amsterdam trip was all the way back in 2014. It doesn't seem that long ago. Amsterdam was my second foray into Europe really, and is truly one of the most electric cities on earth, with beautiful canals, funky art, the wind mills and tulip fields, which are incredible to see btw, and of course, an extremely open policy of "soft drugs" and sexuality. There really is something for everyone here, whether you're into museums, food or just want to feel immersed in the culture, it's the perfect city to be in while not feeling overwhelmed by a big city. And don't get me started on the cheese markets! Of course Mistress' Maddie's #1 Fan was the perfect travel partner, even though we did find ourselves into some debauchery. Ok, a lot of debauchery. What can I say, we met some dashing locals. I have already posted about many of the sights we saw and they can be seen by clicking Amsterdam in the tags. While I did share moments from the Van Vogh museum and the Rembrandt House, I never shared pictures from the Rijksmuseum. The Rijksmuseum has been around for 200 years, and during it's existence, has went through many transformations, and shouldn't be missed. The museum has rose to one of the world's leading museums for it's many masterpieces of Dutch and world art. Along with masterworks from Rembrandt, Vermeer, van Dyck, and Jan Steen, the museum has truly a exceptional collection of the antique objects of the Dutch culture, and vast collections of prints drawings and classic photograpghy. The van Gogh Museum is right next door, so it's like a two for one.
"Discobolus"
Milkmaid- van Mermeer
Guilted Ostrich Egg- Jean-Etienne Lebel
Impressive library
van Gogh
The Night Watch- Rembrandt
Musee D' Orsay
The size of this Rembrandt!!!
The Fall of Man- van Haarlem
Girl with Red Hat- Vermeer
The Mistress- taking in a Rembrandt
Amandier in fleurs- van Gogh
Girl with Pearl Earring- Johannes Vermeer
The Intrigue- James Ensor
Mary Magdalene- Jan Van Scorel
MM#1 Fan doing his best Titanic impression I believe.
Beautiful art, but I was totally mesmerized by the art installation.
This looks like a awesome and amazing experienced. I even went back to see the other post. I have always wanted to go to Amsterdam and have yet made it. Love you friend on the boat, lol
ReplyDeleteHaving seen both the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum, there both incredible, but I enjoyed this one better. Amazing museum with cool art. Absolutely loved the building and it's not so over whelming as the Louvre! It hosts lots Rembrandts. It's a place I need to get back too.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I started reading your blog right when you came here. If you ever come back we MUST meet up! I'd love to play host for you!!!! Crazy Amsterdam....it's why I moved here!!! I miss the Rijksmuseum during the pandemic. I often go and just read in the library.
ReplyDeletePLEASE say you'll come again?!?!?!?!?!?!
And you know I would look you up too! I would love to return again one day.
Delete"MM#1 Fan doing his best Titanic impression I believe."
ReplyDeleteHe seems to piss!
I can tell you safely.... he is!
DeleteJust kidding!!!!!
One of our favorite cities. We went back together in '95 to scope things out when we were considering moving there. We decided, coming from San Diego out the time, that the weather would be a bit of an adjustment. But what a great time! We're long overdue and it's so easy to get to from here.
ReplyDeleteIf I could have a flat along the canal, I'd move there in a minute.
DeleteI enjoyed you taking us back on your Amsterdam Vacay. Sometimes our pre-Covid lives seem a lifetime away already.
ReplyDeleteI love your pics, bringing back memories of Amsterdam, Vermeer and the Rijksmuseum - that library is to die for. The last time I went it was so long ago that the Night Watch hadn't been attacked. I have a postcard of the Milkmaid on the bookshelves. I particularly love the Dutch-Flemish 17th century still lifes (sans dead animals).
ReplyDeleteYes I have noticed they were fond of using many dead animals in paintings...we saw our fair share. I think Monet and Vermeer are two of my favorites. Did you by chance visit the Rembrandt House when you were there? The was another little surprise I enjoyed.
DeleteSadly not. I love Monet and my daughter did too; I remember visiting the National Gallery with her when they had a special Monet exhibition featuring the waterlily paintings. Plus I've visited Giverney and walked over that bridge.
DeleteOHHHHHH HOW NEAT!
DeleteAs you already know, Amsterdam is (outside London) my favourite city - I've visited practically every year since 1991, sometimes multiple times a year, and just adore it. I breathe a sigh of relief on the train from Schiphol airport every time I catch sight of the first canal... Jx
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you haven't thrown Madame Arcati into a suitcase yet and moved to Amsterdam? Maybe you two could get a windmill and create lavish gardens... Delores Delargo Mill and Gardens.
DeleteVery few properties in the Old Town actually have gardens - and "green-roofing" a houseboat is not very me. If I won the Lottery, I would certainly have a pied-a-terre on Prinsengracht, however! Jx
DeleteMy favorite is Rembrandt taking in The Mistress.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful art, city and photos.
I guess I could hang in a museum...as long as I was well hung.
DeleteIt seems like forever since I've been in an art gallery or museum, so I enjoyed this post!
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam! I adored this city. It was so compact. And our hotel was incredible... on the harbor and elegant. We spent a day at the Van Gogh museum. My favorite was visiting the first church in the city, in the red light district. It was so odd... there was a tiny room with artifacts that I went into. The room had a window... I looked up and across the street was a fleshy prostitute standing in a show window offering up her ample bare breasts. It is a beautiful, eclectic city. Oh... and they HATE Americans. Of course, I was there while the orange ogre was rutting about, and once someone found out I was American? There whole face and demeanor would change. Their body language. It was such a wake up call. Beautiful photos, btw. Art is so much fun to digest in person. Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteThey were pleasant when we went but then, Obama was president. We saw much more of what you talk of on the trip to Buenos Aires. It was like people gave us their condolences when they heard we were from the US.
DeleteOne day we return to seeing art....and soon!
So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnd the museums! I would be so torn between going sightseeing and going to the museums. So many masterpieces that you've only seen in photos! That Rembrandt really is something to behold!
This seems to be one of those vacations that really stay with you. Fantastic.
XOXO
Our time there, we spent only two days in museums. The rest was some days, just walking around and seeing where we ended up. But the windmills and tulip fields shouldn't be missed. Where would you ever get a chance to see such? The de Haar Castle was pretty cool to see too. Not to mention the Frank House...very sobering.
DeleteIt's been years since I've been to Amsterdam. I was one of our first trips. We had a wonderful visit to the city and the museum, admiring the wonderful paintings of the Old Master. The Peace of Munster is one of my favorite paintings to look at. The level of detail is truly stunning.
ReplyDeleteLike Ursula, I adore the Louvre, adore it....but What I love the most about the Rijksmuseum is that you can get really up front and close to the works of arts and admire them, without being followed around by paranoid security guards, and no where near the crowds. We couldn't even see some of the works...too many people. I adore this post. Just like being at the museum Mistress.
But it's hard to beat the windmills and tulip fields though.
Have yet been to Paris.
DeleteLove the art, love the architecture, but you had me at the library!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. I obviously need to add Amsterdam to my travel bucket list.
ReplyDeleteI need to go back, first time was in 1991. Second visit was weird.
ReplyDeleteYou should go back and check out the cheese markets.
DeleteLoves, love, loves the library!
ReplyDeleteAnd all the art. Beautiful.
xoxo :-)
Beautiful and super cool!
ReplyDeleteSome beautiful art, there. I do like a good Vermeer.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of art: That's a great shot featuring MM#1 Fan at the end. The low angle, the sun & clouds, great perspective - lovely!
I was worried He'd fall in the canal...we had been drinking, and were fairly tight by then, if I recall correctly...but you knows. Damn coffeehouse.....
DeleteVan Gogh and drugs: I think I could be happy in Amsterdam.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
And to think, there are only about 250 "coffeehouses" to choose from toots! Between the drinking and smoking and jet lag, I lost a whole day! I kid not! MM#1 Fan undressed me and put me to bed.
DeleteI bet that isn't the only thing he did?!?!?
DeleteTalk about a deep dive into art!!!! Absolutely a fantastic museum! And so is Amsterdam.
ReplyDeleteA must see! We spend a full day at this museum and it was so amazing learning about Dutch history.
ReplyDeleteAwesome (again) henny! Now I would like to see a whole post of the coffeehouses! YASSSS henny!
ReplyDeleteCheck the tags....i did one on some of the coffeehouses.
DeleteArt museums are always an amazing time if your an art enthusiast! Famous for housing Rembrandt paintings, often other pieces get overlooked. I especially loved the collection of antique furniture (Medical cabinets),the artistic weapons collections and stained glass windows! A word of warning, no DSLR cameras allowed.
ReplyDeleteFor the added enthusiast, try eating a half a "good" brownie before entering!
You and your edibles are what got my in trouble....
DeleteI think this was right up there in your trips for me. One of my favorites. I has been on the bucket list for a while now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your honeymoon!?!?!?!?
DeleteTerrific, I would love to see the Netherlands at some point. Lords know I need to branch off the cape at some point. What an impressive collection of art. Glorious post Mistress. I'm enjoying these travel logs
ReplyDeleteBeen several times, for music and pleasure. Superb museum! You can spend hours in the Gallery of Honor alone with The Night Watch as the focal point, and Vermeers, and other Rembrandts to savor.I don't think the light installation was there when I visted. Looks very cool
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam is my kind of crazy. Lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteYou'd probably love Amsterdam!
Delete