MAURITSHUIS MUSEUM WORKS: THE UNMISSABLE MASTERPIECES TO ADMIRE

Mauritshuis museum works and unmissable masterpieces of a Dutch museum famous for his collection of paintings boasting masterpieces of the art of the Dutch Golden Age including works by Joannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn and Carel Fabritius. This post is the first of six legs of a journey to discover art, museums and masterpieces of the Netherlands. Are you ready to get inspired by the marvels of Dutch art? Let’s go!

Mauritshuis museum works: the masterpieces to admire

The building of the Mauritshuis museum was built in the 17th century and was the residence of art collector John Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Nassau-Siegen which, after various events, in the 19^th century became a museum. Between 2012 and 2014, the Mauritshuis museum was renovated and enlarged. It’s a must-visit attraction for an art tour in the Netherlands, because it houses some works of art which are symbols of Dutch art.

To visit the museum, it is advisable to book in advance as it is a must for all tourists travelling to the Netherlands.
I have written a post with all the information you need to buy tickets to the Mauritshuis and not risk missing the chance to admire its masterpieces.

MAURITSHUIS MUSEUMS WORKS: THE MASTERPIECES TO ADMIRE

Head of a Girl with a Turban by Vermeer

The Girl with a Pearl Earring, Vermeer

Head of a Girl with a Turban, also known as The Girl with a Pearl Earring, is considered the Dutch Mona Lisa. It seems that the girl is turning because someone has called her and is facing the observer. This painting is one of Vermeer’s tronies, works common in 17^th-century Dutch painting. They are depictions of biblical, historical or antique characters in historic or eccentric costume. Maybe, in this case, Vermeer wanted to depict a sibyl or a muse. The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt

The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt

Considered one of the most beautiful works by Rembrandt, the anatomy lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp was commissioned by the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons and the painting portrays professor Nicolaes Tulp while dissecting a body for scientific purposes. The painting is an array of portraits of real characters and in the book, held by an assistant (who is looking outside the painting), you can read the name of the participating surgeons. The Goldfinch by Fabritius

The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius

Carel Fabritius was a pupil of Rembrandt and created a real masterpiece on a small wooden board housed in the Mauritshuis museum. The painting was probably meant to be hung high up on a wall and intended as a trompe l’oeil (an optical illusion) of a real little bird, like those kept as pets in the Dutch houses. If you want to look at the painting at a short distance and have a look at its details, you’d better go to the page dedicated to the Goldfinch on the official website of the Mauritshuis museum, which will make you find out the story and the secrets of the painting. View of Delft by Vermeer

View of Delft by Vermeer

The View of Delft is a rarity in Vermeer’s artistic production. In fact, the artist is considered a painter of interior scenes, while in this painting his gaze looks towards the area of the port of Delft, as you could see it in 1660. It is believed that Vermeer used a camera obscura, so he could have drawn the landscape before and then completed the painting in his studio exactly how Canaletto painted.

MAURITSHUIS MUSEUM WORKS: THE VISIT

To arrange your visit to the Mauritshuis museum you can go to the official website of the museum  and find out more about opening hours, exhibitions and tickets. However, you can explore the museum from home and discover the art collection making a  virtual tour!