June 23 - Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Another day off in Amsterdam, so I hustled my butt out to the big museum, the Rijksmuseum early to avoid the crowds, along with the thousands that were there early avoiding crowds.  After spending a few hours there, I high tailed it back to the room for some rest as Montezuma seems to have taken an interest in me ('nuf said).

So, I'll show you a few pieces and Julie, who was there recently, can correct what I say.

The Merry Family, by Steen (1642).

The discussion about this painting centred around all the bad habits these people had, but the fun they had with them.  The fellow in the back is playing a set of bagpipes and they think that it is Steen inserting a self portrait into the painting.










Two sailing canvases.  I forgot the details about this one, except that the foremast has broken.  (I guess I lose my Junior Woodchuck Art Appreciation badge for not knowing who did this).









I like this one too; "Dutch Ships in a Calm Sea, by van de Velde II (1663).

I was surprised they let you take photos, although there wasn't any flash photography.
Sorry about all the crooked photos - I tried to keep the photo bombers at bay.








The Threatened Swan, by Asselijn (1650).

In the bottom left is a dog swimming toward the Swan, which apparently is the reason for the kerfuffle.

This one stuck me, because it so captures a PO'd swan.








This  is the big prize, the reason for this gallery - The Night Watch by Rembrandt, 1642.  It is gigantic, about 12 x 14 FEET.

It depicts the Military Company of District 2 heading out for a patrol.

The story behind this painting, including how it was hidden during WW2, is worth reading.  I have no idea how he obtained everybody's likeness - I assume multiple sittings for each participant.

This is probably in contention for having the most selfies taken of it, including Obama.
(Maybe Trump will try to one up Obama by having his photo taken at a sex shop).
Bad Greg - shouldn't say nasty things!



Onward. I liked these two landscapes,
this one because it showed the land better than my photos.

This one because it shows a raised bridge in the background. 

Ooops, no info on either.









Behind the painting gallery, was a display of sculptures.  This one, "Typanum," made by Quellinus in 1648.  The purpose?  A practice model for his proposal for the much larger decorative gable at the new Town Hall.

 

Upstairs from the paintings is a gallery of modern art.  I included this one because I liked the vase and the contrast in colour with the chair.

There was also a short film showing how the Dutch dammed out the ocean after WW2 to reclaim some land.  Very interesting.






I popped through some of the other galleries, but the cultural overload was taking hold (engineers are particularly sensitive to this).

Look at the detail in this cabinet - its a fully stocked Apothecary, possibly used for training.










And the detail in this plaster fireplace mantle.  It must have been commissioned by the male of the household - would a wife want a dust collector like this?










This is a table orrery (good Scrabble word, eh Judy?).  It's a working model showing how the planets revolve around the sun.
Made by Hartog van Laun about 1800.

Last photo is of the museum library.  Notable for the massive amount of books - I think they said about 15 km, possibly including the collections we couldn't see.

Also notable was the use of cast iron in the structure of the wing holding the library.  It allowed the architect to make the columns lighter and thinner than stone.







That's it for the museum - I have lots more photos, but no need to bore you.  I spent about 3 hours there - I'd probably need another half dozen trips to fully appreciate it.

My last photo of Amsterdam is of a canal in the Old Quarter.  It still boggles me how they seem to have so little trouble with foundations beside the canals. 

Tomorrow is a 20 km convoy out of town, followed by a 92 km ride to Zwolle.

Greg