Spanish architecture firm Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos has transformed the 19th-century building in Amsterdam into a museum for the 21st century, with a bright and spacious entrance, a new Asian Pavilion and beautifully restored galleries. Under the guidance of restoration architect Van Hoogevest, the lavish decoration scheme of the museum’s original architect Pierre Cuypers has been fully reconstructed in several key spaces, while Parisian architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte designed the new interior of the galleries, fusing 19th-century grandeur with modern design.
The presentation of the Rijksmuseum’s world-famous collection is also new. For the very first time, visitors can follow a chronological journey through the collection, in a sequence of 80 galleries, with 8,000 objects telling the story of 800 years of Dutch art and history. Only Rembrandt’s masterpiece The Night Watch has been returned to its original position in the building.
The restoration of the Cuypers colours is made possible by AKZONobel/Sikkens. The renovation and opening of the Rijksmuseum is made possible by founder Philips and main sponsors BankGiro Lottery, ING and KPN.
