Rijksmuseum re-opens in Amsterdam to fanfare and orange fireworks
The interminably long winter seems to be receding. The sun is out and the morale is on the rise. Oh so we hope. At least, there is no shortage of good news.
At the backdrop of the Dutch government’s announcement of postponement of austerity measures and the orange wave of enthusiasm washing over the country in the countdown to the investiture of the new King, the Rijksmuseum, the national pride of the Netherlands, opened to public after more than ten years of restoration works.
Befitting the grandeur of the occasion it is Queen Beatrix (her last official engagement before stepping down) that turned the golden key to symbolically re-open the museum to the sound of fanfare and explosion of orange fireworks.
The museum started in 1800 in The Hague as Kunst Gallery in the Huis ten Bosch, currently Queen Beatrix’s residence, and was later moved to Amsterdam during the King Louis Napoleon time, detailed story here
While the eyes of the world are on the Night Watch by Rembrand and the collection of old masters and the art critics are waxing lyrical, the fashion world has been trying to capitalize on the Rijksmuseum art as well.
Local label Ladress designed a collection of 13 Art dresses and 13 Art scarves made in satin silk with prints of the famous paintings. A Night Watch dress anyone? 345 euro and it is yours. Vermeer Woman Reading a Letter Art Dress? No problem. You can also get them in scarves.
De Bijenkorf, the local department store of reference, produced a special issue of its Inspiration magazine dedicated to the Rijksmuseum replete with sumptuous photo shoots referencing known paintings.
While I am not convinced by the art dresses, a scarf seems a very good idea.
And now wait till I can actually get to Amsterdam to take in all the beauty.