The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum located in Amsterdam, dedicated to the arts, crafts, and history of the Netherlands. It was founded in 1800 in The Hague and moved to its current location in 1885. The museum's collection includes more than 8,000 objects, ranging from paintings and sculptures to decorative arts and historical artifacts. The most famous works in the collection include Rembrandt's "The Night Watch," Vermeer's "The Milkmaid," and Frans Hals' "The Laughing Cavalier."
The museum's building was designed by Pierre Cuypers and features a Neo-Gothic style. It underwent a major renovation and expansion between 2003 and 2013, which aimed to restore the building's original features and provide more space for the museum's collections and visitors. The museum now has over 80 galleries, a new entrance hall, and a spacious atrium that houses the iconic bicycle parking garage.
The Rijksmuseum's collection is organized chronologically, starting from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum's most famous paintings are displayed in the Gallery of Honour, a long corridor that features works by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and Jan Steen. The collection also includes decorative arts, including furniture, ceramics, glass, silverware, and textiles, as well as historical artifacts such as weapons, clothing, and scientific instruments.
In addition to its permanent collection, the Rijksmuseum also hosts temporary exhibitions, educational programs, and events throughout the year. The museum is open to the public every day of the year except for January 1st. Visitors can also explore the museum's gardens, which feature sculptures and fountains, and the Rijksmuseum Research Library, which contains over 400,000 books and manuscripts related to Dutch art and history.