The history of the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum grew from a 19th-century idea: a national collection to preserve and display Dutch art and history for the public.
Origins
In 1800 a national gallery was established in The Hague. The collection moved to Amsterdam in 1808. Over the following decades it expanded through acquisitions and bequests, and the need for a dedicated building became clear.
The Cuypers building
Architect Pierre Cuypers won the commission to design the new museum. The building opened in 1885 on Museumplein. Its Dutch Renaissance style, with towers, gables, and rich interior decoration, made it an instant landmark. A central passage under the building allowed traffic to pass through.
20th and 21st centuries
Through the 20th century the collection continued to grow. By the 2000s the building needed major renovation. The project restored original features, improved visitor flow, and rehung the collection in a new narrative. The museum reopened in 2013. Today it is one of the most visited museums in the world.