In September I spent 4 days in Amsterdam, and I went to the Rijksmuseum everyday! The art was amazing and the building stunning.
It is the building and it's architecture that I want to talk about today.
Pierre Cuypers, 1885
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Rijksmuseum has long history. It was founded in 1798 in the Hague. The current building is in Amsterdam and was designed by Pierre Cuypers after he won a design contest in 1876. This gorgeous building was completed in 1885 and is a combination of gothic and renaissance architecture. It is also very similar to Amsterdam Central Station which was also designed by Pierre Cuypers and completed 4 years later.
Rijksmuseum, 1885
Amsterdam Central Station, 1889
Let's talk about four elements of Gothic architecture we see in the Rijksmuseum- towers and spires, tracery, stained glass and ribbed vaulting.
Towers and spires
While the museum doesn't have spires it does have many towers adorning its roof. The tops of the towers are not all the same, which is very interesting. One has a clock on it too. The stone with it's beautiful brick color these gothic towers were the first thing I noticed about the museum.
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Tracery
What is tracery? Tracery is elaborate stone work in the windows. It provides structure and detail to the windows and building. Here are a few of examples on the front of the museum. I am so impress with all the little details that make up this very beautiful and ornate building.
Stained glass windows
Speaking of windows. Stained glass windows are a prominent feature of gothic architecture. The Great Hall has many wonderful stained glass windows by W.F. Dixon. You can see some tracery in the stained glass window too. With the high vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows this room is like a cathedral to art.
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Ribbed vaulting
An essential characteristic of Gothic Architecture are ribbed vaults. This allowed the people to build taller more spacious buildings. The best examples of the ribbed vaulting in the Rijksmuseum are in the Great Hall and the Gallery of Honor. I also appreciate how the ribs point and direct our attention and gaze upward, toward heaven. These were wonderful rooms are in themselves a stunning work of art. I felt so inspired and enlightened when I was in them.
Great Hall
Gallery of Honor
Both inside and out the Rijksmuseum is a stunning building that is just the place to house so much incredible art.
Here is a picture of me with the museum. Me at my happy place!
This museum was definitely the highlight of my time in Amsterdam. The Rijksmuseum is now on my list of favorite museums. Up there with the National Gallery in DC, Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in Boston, and The MET in New York City and the Vatican Museums in Rome.
Sources:
Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum- Wikipedia
Amsterdam Central Station- Wikipedia
Gothic Architecture- Wikipedia
Just Fun Facts
Rijksmuseum App
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