In honor of Amsterdam's 750th anniversary, the H'ART Museum is presenting a special exhibition from April 9: From Rembrandt to Vermeer, masterpieces from The Leiden Collection. This exhibition shows what daily life in Amsterdam was like in the 17th century, with works by some of the greatest Dutch masters.
18 Rembrandts and a Vermeer in Amsterdam
For this unique exhibition, running from April 9 to August 24, 2025, a remarkable collection will be coming to the city. The Leiden Collection, one of the largest private collections of 17th-century Dutch art in the world, is lending all of its Rembrandts: 17 paintings and 1 drawing. Additionally, the collection owns a rare painting by Johannes Vermeer, specially restored for this exhibition. These works, which are usually not displayed together, bring the Amsterdam of the Golden Age to life.
The urban life of the time
The exhibition showcases various aspects of 17th-century urban life. From stately portraits to everyday scenes: how did Amsterdammers present themselves to the outside world, how did they spend their leisure time, and how was wealth displayed? In addition to Rembrandt and Vermeer, works by Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Ferdinand Bol, and the lesser-known but talented Maria Schalcken can also be admired.
Women in the 17th century
What makes this exhibition special is the focus on women in art. Maria Schalcken, one of the few female artists of her time, painted intimate, elegant scenes that were long attributed to her brother. Now her work is receiving the recognition it deserves. In addition, there are portraits of influential women from that era, from businesswomen to members of high society.
A lifelong love for Rembrandt
The founder of The Leiden Collection, Thomas Kaplan, has a strong connection to Amsterdam. His love for Rembrandt began at a young age and often brought him to the city. His admiration for the Dutch masters led to an impressive collection, a large portion of which is now temporarily on display at the H’ART Museum. This exhibition is a tribute to Amsterdam and its rich art history, specially for the Amsterdam 750 anniversary year.
