It makes sense that Holland has more museums
per square mile than any other country. Over the centuries,
this land has produced some of the world’s most
important and beloved artists.
Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum
is the first place to seek out works by the “Dutch
Masters” of the 17th century. Rembrandt,
born in Leiden in 1606, is the giant. His groundbreaking
use of light and shadow, and his brilliant, sharp technique
gave his subjects a physical presence that astonished
patrons and the public.
The paintings of Johannes Vermeer
are all the more treasured for being rare: only 36 have
survived. Celebrated for his intricate use of composition,
space and light, Vermeer painted quiet, contemplative
indoor scenes. By contrast, Vermeer’s contemporary
Jan Steen
is known for lively, humorous genre painting: disorderly
households, festive taverns, playing children and barking
dogs.
The paintings of Vincent
van Gogh hang in the world’s great museums.
But at the Van
Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, fans of this modern
superstar can immerse themselves in his work –
more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 letters.
The Kröller-Müller Museum in the Hoge Veluwe
Nationl Park has also an extensive Van Gogh collection.
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