The Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague - The Netherlands
The Mauritshuis Museum, officially called the Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery, is a renowned art museum in The Hague, Netherlands.
It is famous for its collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, including masterpieces by artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Jan Steen.
The museum is housed in a 17th-century mansion, which was originally the residence of Johann Maurice van Nassau-Sagen, a Dutch general and governor of the Dutch colony in Brazil.
The Mauritshuis displays around 800 works of art, with its collection highlighting the best of Dutch painting from the 17th century.
Among her most famous works are Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholas Tulp.
The museum is not only a treasure of fine art but also an excellent example of classical Dutch architecture.
Mauritshaus Museum - a bit of history before we begin
In the beginning, the museum was a residence of a rich count named Johann Mauritz van Nassau-Sagen, the governor of the Dutch colony in Brazil.
The ancient house, commissioned by the rich count, was built between 1636 and 1641, and symbolized the splendor and majesty of the Dutch Golden Age.
In 1664, Mauritz moved to Germany, and the house passed from hand to hand for hundreds of years, and was used as residential estates and even as a hotel. In 1820, a fire broke out in the ancient building and it was severely damaged.
After the fire, the Dutch government decides to buy the building in order to house the "Royal Cabinet for Paintings" - a government collection of paintings by the greatest Dutch painters.
So it was, and in 1824 the museum operates as a public museum. He got his name from the original owner of the house - Mauritz.
Over the years, the museum's collection has grown steadily, and today it is home to hundreds of paintings, including well-known iconic paintings.
In the years 2012-2014, the museum was renovated, and this turned it into a large and innovative museum while maintaining its historical and cultural significance.
The famous works in the museum that should not be missed
The Mauritshuis Museum, located in The Hague, Netherlands, is a world-renowned art museum that houses an extraordinary collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings.
Its intimate and elegant setting, in a 17th-century mansion, provides the perfect backdrop for his masterpieces.
In her collection, several pieces stand out not only for their artistry but also for their historical significance.
"Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Johannes Vermeer - A work often referred to as the 'Mona Lisa of the North', a magical painting of an innocent girl looking towards her viewers, wearing a pearl earring curling from her ears.
This is undoubtedly the most famous work in the museum, and expect an enthusiastic crowd of fans to surround the work throughout the hours of the visit.
"The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholas Tulp" by Rembrandt - A painting depicting a group of surgeons gathered around a small operating table, watching Dr. Topel demonstrate dissection of a patient's arm.
The painting is considered famous and spectacular and it presents its viewers with the ancient world of medicine alongside a combination of amazing elements of light and shadow by the talented artist Rembrandt.
"The Goldfinch" by Carl Fabricius - A small and magical painting depicting a chained finch bird.
The painting was painted by Fabricius, a talented Dutch artist who was a student of Rembrandt.
"The Bull" by Paulus Potter - A huge beautiful painting painted in 1647 by the Dutch Paulus Potter, in the painting you can see a bull, surrounded by other animals and a human figure.
"Self-Portrait" by Rembrandt van Rijn (1669) – One of the many self-portraits Rembrandt painted during his lifetime, this late work reflects the artist's introspection and mastery of emotional depth, a poignant exploration of self-representation and the passage of time.
"Merry Company on the Balcony" by Jan Steen - Jan Steen is known for his vivid and often humorous depictions of everyday life, this painting is a beautiful example of his work, full of character and narrative detail, showing the joy and excess of the time.
"Landscape of Delft" by Johannes Vermeer - This cityscape is notable for its detailed representation of the Dutch city of Delft, with its calm waters and cloud-laden sky.
Vermeer's use of light and perspective in this painting is extraordinary, giving it a peaceful and almost tangible atmosphere.
The impressive structure:
The museum building is a work of art in itself. Its architecture and interiors offer a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the Dutch elite in the 17th century.
Don't miss a visit to the building's magnificent staircase, and admire the spectacular ceiling paintings.
Prince William V Gallery
The Mauritshaus Museum is actually housed in two buildings, the central one being the Mauritshaus, the home of Maurice, and the other being the Willem V Gallery.
The entrance ticket to the museum includes both buildings, both of which contain the museum's collections and which are a short walking distance from each other.
The Prince William V Gallery was established by the King of the Netherlands, Willem V in the 18th century, in order to house Oss, his extensive paintings.
Willem wanted to create an art gallery that would be accessible to the public, an idea that was considered innovative and special at the time.
The gallery is located in the former palace of the Count of Holland, the magnificent building has been carefully restored and offers its visitors a glimpse into the opulence and splendor of the 18th century art world.
The museum's collection is a combined collection and contains paintings from the original collection of Prince Willem V alongside works from the Mauritshaus collection.
All the works in the gallery were painted by Dutch and Flemish painters, including Stein, Potter and Anthony van Dyck.
These masterpieces represent only a small part of the Mauritshuis Museum's collection, which includes works by artists such as Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruysdal and Peter Paul Rubens.
The museum not only offers a window into the Dutch Golden Age of painting, but also provides an insight into the culture, history and society of the 17th century.
Each piece in the collection tells a unique story, inviting visitors to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of Dutch art and history.
Mauritshuis Museum - highlights and important information
Location and directions
The Mauritshuis Museum is located in the center of The Hague, and is easily accessible by public transport.
The museum can be reached by tram and bus lines that stop at the nearby Buitenhof/Hofweg station.
Den Haag Centraal train station is a short walk from the museum, making visiting the museum accessible even for day-trippers from Amsterdam or Rotterdam.
Those arriving by car can find several paid parking lots near the museum.
Museum address: Plein 29, Den Haag.
Opening Hours
The Mauritius Museum is open on Tuesdays - Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00 - Mondays from 13:00 to 18:00.
The Prince Willem V Gallery is open on Tuesdays - Sundays between 12:00 and 17:00 - the gallery is closed on Mondays.
There you will also find a nice brasserie restaurant called Brasserie Mauritshuis that offers pastoral views towards the beautiful lake next to the museum.
About the nature of the tour and what to expect?
- The tour ticket is only an entry ticket to the museum complex, for guided tours and activities in the museum complex you must go to the information center and join a tour group.
- It is recommended to devote at least an hour and a half - two hours to a comprehensive independent tour of the museum.
- The entire museum is accessible to wheelchair users.
- At the entrance to the museum, you can equip yourself with audio headphones with an audio guide for an independent tour of the museum, the audio guide in the museum changes according to the language you choose, there are many languages that are possible during the tour - choose the appropriate one and start your experience.
- The entrance ticket also includes entrance to other galleries in the museum.
- To get to the museum complex - See the maps below!
In conclusion
The Mauritshuis stands as a beacon of cultural and historical significance, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the Dutch Golden Age through its exquisite collection of masterpieces.
From Vermeer's enigmatic "Girl with a Pearl Earring" to Rembrandt's revealing "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicholas Tulp," each painting not only displays the mastery of light, shadow, and emotion characteristic of the period, but also invites viewers into the intimate moments. And narratives luxuries of life in the 17th century.
The museum's diverse collection, including works by Fabritius, Potter and Steen, further enriches our understanding of this golden age, revealing the depth of talent and breadth of subject matter explored by Dutch artists.
As we contemplate the incredible artistry and story captured in these timeless works, the Mauritshuis Museum emerges not only as a treasure trove of art but as a vital link that connects us to the past, illuminating the enduring power and beauty of human expression.
