Rijksmuseum

Asian Pavilion

Every six months, the curators of the Asian Pavilion create new displays that narrate a diverse array of stories through the Asian art collection of the Rijksmuseum. This time, beneath the vigilant gaze of Japanese temple guardians, we focus on the Japanese kimonos and modern lacquerware generously donated by Jan Dees and René van der Star, showcasing the enduring history shared between the Netherlands and Taiwan.

Modern Japanese Lacquer

This exhibition features a curated selection of 34 lacquer objects along with 11 women’s kimonos from the collections, showcased in the Asian Pavilion.

American Photography

First major survey of American Photography

This exhibition uncovers the richness and diversity of American photography history, spanning from intimate moments in daily life to significant historical events that have shaped America. Featuring over 200 works from both well-known photographers and anonymous creators, this is the first major exhibition dedicated to American photography in Europe.

Carrie Mae Weems: Painting the Town

The First Exhibition in the Netherlands

Alongside American Photography, Carrie Mae Weems’s 2021 series Painting the Town will be showcased in the Rijksmuseum’s photography gallery. At first glance, Weems’ large and striking works appear to be abstract paintings. During the Black Lives Matter protests, activists inscribed messages on the boards that shopkeepers used to secure their windows. Authorities then obscured these slogans by covering them with large swathes of paint. This act of censorship inadvertently led to the creation of painterly compositions. Weems employs her art to delve into the experience of being a witness to history, engaging with topics such as racism, sexism, and discrimination.

Artist in Residence Programme

The Rijksmuseum announces its annual Artist in Residence programme for a solo artist in 2025. This initiative includes a stipend for the artist, a budget allocated for the creation of one or more artworks, as well as opportunities for artistic research, experimentation, and the development of new creations.

Suit Yourself | 100 years of menswear, 1750-1850

The Suit Yourself exhibition showcases the extravagant fashion choices of men during the 18th and 19th centuries, highlighting their bold use of striped velvet, floral embroidery, and luxurious silk fabrics. This vibrant color palette and contrasting textiles reached their peak during the 'macaroni' period between 1750 and 1770. As the 19th century unfolded, the advent of industrialization made fabrics and ready-to-wear clothing more accessible. A notable feature of the exhibition is an evening coat adorned with 4,000 rhinestones, designed to shimmer in candlelight with every move.

Isamu Noguchi in the Rijksmuseum Gardens

Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988), an American artist widely recognized as one of the most significant sculptors of the 20th century, has made a lasting impact on the art world through his innovative sculptural practices. His modernist pieces use a diverse range of materials, including stone, marble, bronze, steel, and ceramic. In addition to sculptures, Noguchi designed lamps, gardens, playground equipment, and radios. This exhibition features his stone and bronze sculptures within the gardens, while a 'cloud' of his Akari lamps made from washi paper will be suspended in the Atrium. Also on display inside the museum are a chess table and a selection of the artist's sculptural ceramics.

Fiona Tan: Monomania

The Rijksmuseum has granted artist Fiona Tan the opportunity to curate her own exhibition. Drawing on the museum's collection, she will delve into her interest in psychiatry, classifications, and the portrayal of mental disorders from the 19th century. This summer, Tan will unveil her intriguing selection from the museum's collection, complemented by loaned objects and pieces of her own artistry. Notably, her video installation, "Janine's Room," created specifically for this exhibition, contemplates the fluidity of identity and the misleading aspects of representation.

At Home in the 17th Century

At Home in the 17th Century provides an intimate look into the domestic lives of the Dutch people from three centuries ago. It explores what their furniture and household items reveal about their way of life—covering aspects such as marriage, upbringing, eating and personal care habits, as well as their leisure activities and forms of entertainment. Each household, whether a single person or a large family, was a reflection of diverse lifestyles and attitudes shaped by culture, class, and religious beliefs.