Rijksmuseum is the most famous art museum in the Netherlands and is ranked among the best in the world. The National Art Galley was established in The Hague in 1800. Eight years later, it was moved to Amsterdam on the orders of Louis Bonaparte (Napoléon’s younger brother) while he was the king of Holland. In 1885, the stunning design of architect Pierre Cuyper became home for Rijksmuseum. Since then, the National Museum’s collection has swelled to over one million pieces. The works range from the early 13th century through the 21st century. Although only a fraction is on display – about 8,000 items – it is impossible to fully appreciate all 80 galleries during a single delightful visit.
