Tour Details
Duration
2.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Rijksmuseum
- Rembrandt's The Nightwatch
Photos & Highlights
- Explore Golden Age paintings in the company of an art historian or expert
- Includes pre-purchased tickets to the Rijksmuseum
Select a date
Tour Description
On this 2.5-hour Rijksmuseum private tour, you’ll explore the treasures in one of the world’s greatest museums accompanied by an expert in art history. You'll stop to view many of the famous Old Masters, including Rembrandt and Vermeer, as well as lesser-known artists. Along the way, you’ll form a view of Dutch life through the lens of its great artistic figures, making this a perfect tour for both fine arts connoisseurs and those interested in a holistic view of Amsterdam's cultural and artistic development.
Experts
- Rijksmuseum (interior and exterior)
- Pre-purchased tickets to the Rijksmuseum
- Viewing of Rembrandt's The Night Watch
- 2.5 hours with an art historian
You'll begin your tour discussing how art became a prominent part of the Netherlands’ culture as trade and exploration bloomed and the nation became a world power. In the bustling central room of the redesigned Rijksmuseum, you will have the opportunity to gaze upon Rembrandt’s masterwork: The Night Watch. The space is dedicated to this famous painting, which is crucial to any discussion of Amsterdam in the 17th century.
Depending on your guide and interests, you may choose to explore in any number of directions. You will view and discuss more works by Rembrandt, as well as other Dutch masters of the 17th century, such as Vermeer, Steen, and Ruisdael. But, you'll also take time to step away from the crowds in these popular galleries to look at the works of more obscure artists. These less-trafficked rooms are carefully curated to show off the scope of Dutch art over past centuries, illuminating how artworks were collected and valued, and how everyday life was portrayed in painting. The Rijksmuseum also boasts a fantastic collection of furniture and other objects that provide many clues to Dutch traditions and European society of the time. Regardless of your route, you’ll emerge from your time with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Dutch history and art.
Families traveling to Amsterdam may want to consider our Rijksmuseum Tour for Kids. For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, we recommend our Rembrandt in Amsterdam Tour and our Dutch Golden Age Tour.
Depending on your guide and interests, you may choose to explore in any number of directions. You will view and discuss more works by Rembrandt, as well as other Dutch masters of the 17th century, such as Vermeer, Steen, and Ruisdael. But, you'll also take time to step away from the crowds in these popular galleries to look at the works of more obscure artists. These less-trafficked rooms are carefully curated to show off the scope of Dutch art over past centuries, illuminating how artworks were collected and valued, and how everyday life was portrayed in painting. The Rijksmuseum also boasts a fantastic collection of furniture and other objects that provide many clues to Dutch traditions and European society of the time. Regardless of your route, you’ll emerge from your time with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Dutch history and art.
Families traveling to Amsterdam may want to consider our Rijksmuseum Tour for Kids. For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, we recommend our Rembrandt in Amsterdam Tour and our Dutch Golden Age Tour.
Does this tour include any current temporary exhibitions?
The tour visits the Rijksmuseum's permanent collection. We do not currently offer the option to visit temporary exhibitions with our expert.
The tour visits the Rijksmuseum's permanent collection. We do not currently offer the option to visit temporary exhibitions with our expert.
Is this suitable for travelers with mobility challenges?
We cover quite a bit of ground on this tour, although in some cases we may be able to adjust the itinerary based on the needs of your party. Please get in touch with us so we can advise if this itinerary will be appropriate for you or propose modifications where necessary.
Where You'll Start
–
590 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Our docent, Alette, was so knowledgeable about the museum, the art works, and the golden age of Amsterdam. She knew exactly where to go and how much time to spend - we were never waiting in crowds.
Jennifer
Reviewed on:
Jul 23, 2016
This tour was extraordinary. The docent was well planned and prepared, had a very clear idea in her mind what she wanted us to get from it an knew exactly where she had to be at certain times to be the crowds.
The knowledge base of the docent and how she shared this with us was outstanding. I learnt so much about the Golden Age of the Netherlands - not just the artists and paintings but what life would have been like in these times. The docent made the paintings come alive and gave you a remarkable insight into the Golden Age. I appreciated that she went through one gallery (The Night Watch gallery) in detail with a focus on paintings that were important to showing us what was valued during that time. Her insights into 17th Century History added to this.
Then going to other galleries to reinforce the ideas presented was fabulous. It enabled us to see the themes coming through. In fact, this in-depth knowledge has provided me with a huge insight into the complexities of these paintings which I never would have seen if it not for the information provided by the docent.
Going to key artefacts like the dolls house provided another perspective of the wealth but gave some insight into housing at the time.
The recommendation to go and see the building "Our Lord in the Attic" and Rembrandt's House was appreciated as it has provided further depth to my knowledge.
I would like to thank the docent whole heartedly for her energy, passion and commitment to share her knowledge base with me. I feel exceptionally fortunate and privileged to have spent my time with her. My only suggestion - I would like to see a whole day tour of the Rijks Museum with this docent. She has so much to offer and two and a half hours is not long enough!
Jackie
Reviewed on:
Jul 22, 2016
I would say that everything worked. Sabry was very attentive to our particular interests, and led us through the very busy museum skillfully. We enjoyed his sense of humor.
John
Reviewed on:
Jul 14, 2016
