The Library (De Bibliotheek) of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Last February I visited the newly renovated Rijksmuseum at the Museumplein in Amsterdam. I will post a separate generic entry about my visit there another time because I took lots of pictures, and of course I want to share them here. This entry however will be about the Library, and yes, many museums these days allow taking pictures inside as long as there is no use of flash.

The Library | Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Website: Rijksmuseum

I actually visited the Rijksmuseum in 2001 and this was before I moved to the Netherlands. One of the highlights during my visit 13 years ago were the dollhouses so when I came back here last February I made sure to make my way there. Read here: Amazing 17th Century Doll Houses at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

The highlight for this year’s visit however would have to be the Library (Bibliotheek in Dutch). I never knew the Library of the Rijksmuseum existed, not until this visit. 13 years ago I came here with the Dutchman who managed to manoeuver me through the museum with the speed of lightning. Because the Library is located in an inconspicous corner, she can easily be bypassed, which is why not many people know about it and why we missed it before as well. Luckily I am very thorough these days =)

One thing I can say: BEAUTIFUL

Here is an excerpt from the Rijksmuseum text about the Library:

‘The Rijksmuseum’s art-historical library is the largest of its kind in the Netherlands. Completed in 1881, the library has largely retained its original form and ornamentation. A characteristic feature is the brick-red and gold polychromed cast iron colonettes (thin columns). The walls are decorated with painted bricks, and the ceilings and galleries with foliage motifs. The names of writers on art are inscribed in cartouches in the highest gallery and on the colonettes. The most striking element of this interior is the cast-iron spiral staircase, which connects the galleries and draws one’s gaze upwards.

The museum library is a place where visitors and researchers can learn about art and art history, as well as make inquiries about objects in the Rijksmuseum’s collection and conduct research in general. The four-storey library contains one kilometre of books and the museum’s underground storage facilityy houses five more kilometres of books, catalogues and periodicals.’