Schiphol Airport is arguably one of the world’s best airports. It’s huge, well-planned, spacious, and has every possible facility you can think of for an airport, including a mini museum — the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol.
The museum, which features over 400 17th century masterpieces, presents a new exhibition three times a year. The current exhibition is called “The Art of Flying” and runs until the 26th of October, 2009.
The exhibits are few but (1) the paintings are the real McCoy, (2) you can stay in the museum for as long as you want, and (3) you can take all the photos that your heart desires. [NB: In the main Rijksmuseum, cameras are prohibited.]
Please click on the image below to see a stitched panorama shot of the museum:-
Lighting is dim (to preserve the paintings) and the glass is thick, so taking photos is quite a tricky undertaking without a flash and a tripod.
Some samples of the paintings on display right now:-
Isaack Luttichuys (1616-1673)
Portrait of a young woman, 1656
Oil on canvas
Abraham Mignon (1640-1679)
Still life with flowers and watch, ca. 1660-1679
Oil on canvas
Paulus Moreelse (1571-1638)
Girl at the mirror, 1632
Oil on canvas
The exhibits are located on the upper floor, accessible by a small flight of stairs. On the ground floor, on the other hand, you will find the Rijksmuseum shop where reproductions of famous paintings are available for sale, some of which have already been framed.
For easier transport, some of the reproductions are also available unframed.
This is my favourite — Johannes Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid“. I am in awe of his ability to paint light.
I had to force myself to get away from this display of Vermeer-related souvenirs.
The shop also sells smaller (read: more affordable) souvenirs such as mugs, magnets and the bookmarks that I gave away as pasalubong not too long ago.
The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol is located on Holland Boulevard of Schiphol Airport, in the area behind the passport control between the E and F Pier. It is open every day from 7:00 until 20:00. The best part? Admission is free.
Hey, that looks familiar! :)
This is so interesting. I love the idea of a museum in an airport. I haven’t traveled in so long and I miss it so much, I just live vicariously through you!!
oh yes, we passed by that part of the airport!
schipol airport is so big! imagine shopping there! they have so many stores! :)
the last picture got a movie, “the girl with pearl earings. ”
the one i wàtched, about how the poor girl became famous model.
Ive been to rijks museum and once took photos with flash, inside, the guards told me off!!!!
i ve been to schipol gate 2 to 41 to take flight to Manila. Grrrr to long walk and voice: MIND YOUR STEP…MIND YOUR STEP…..
Not learned any Dutch word at all!
Oh, i love that, not too many airports have this kind of amenities, the museum, and other places to go to when waiting for flights. I hope Gensan’s international (kuno) airport will be much developed in the next coming days.
jessi: sorry i haven’t been travelling much lately. i’m also soooo behind with my blog posts! i’ve yet to write about table mountain, antwerp, etc.
kg: cheeses! don’t forget the cheeses!
francescainfrance: oohh ‘the girl with a pearl earring’. i love that painting too :)
sheng: i am hoping airasia would arrange flights between KL & GenSan via GenSan’s airport. can you start a petition or something there? then i can go home more often hehe.
i’m guessing this was where my vermeer bookmark was from? so pretty!
exactly! and now i wish i bought more of those *sigh*