The Rijksmuseum is the main Netherlands museum of art and history, and has been going since 1800. It opened in the current building in 1885. It's only a 15 minute walk from our place so we set off before 9 am through the quiet streets, to beat the rush.
 |
| The Rijksmuseum frontage |
We were amongst a small crowd waiting for the doors to open at 9, and were able to see some of the most famous paintings before almost anyone else was there. Rembrant's "The Night Watch" is the one given pride of place in the main Gallery of Honour. It is one of many huge canvasses on display, as you can see here.
 |
| Sue and The Night Watch |
Going early proved to be a great idea, because by the time we left the galleries were relatively crowded, and these photos would not have been possible. I believe these scenes showing large groups of men were designed to allow wealthy locals to pay to have themselves included in the painting! I guess you paid more to get yourself at the front of the scene.
 |
| An hour later these paintings were surrounded by crowds. |
 |
| Showing some of the stunning detail from the painting above... |
 |
| The museum includes all sorts of exhibits in addition to paintings. |
 |
| The Milkmaid, by Vermeer |
 |
| Vincent van Gogh self portrait. |
They have a couple of paintings by van Gogh here, but there is an entire gallery devoted to him not far from the Rijksmuseum. We will see if we can make it there before we have to leave town.
 |
| The museum was soon taken over by crowds with audioguides in their ears. |
 |
| These guys were busking at the museum - they sounded like a whole orchestra. |
After the museum we needed to have some quiet time somewhere, so walked to the huge "Vondelpark" park about ten minutes away. The park is 45 hectares of lawns, lakes, trees and gardens, and is very popular with the locals. They come and lie on the grass in the sun to relax.
The day was becoming quite hot, so we bought sandwiches and found a grassy spot under a tree to have lunch. It was very peaceful, until a ragged man who was talking to himself and behaving erratically started to trying to share our space! We decided it was time to investigate the free music performance in another part of the park.
 |
| Zoning out under a tree in the Vondelpark. |
 |
| A pukeko! No, it's a moorhen. This one wanted my lunch. |
 |
| Free concerts in the Vondelpark. |
We had a long walk home in the increasingly hot sun. The authorities have issued a "heat warming" for the Netherlands, because of the forecast temperatures this week. Tomorrow we will learn to ride the trams!
