Page 228 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

226  WESTERN NE THERLANDS

Mauritshuis
After he was recalled as captain general of
Brazil, Johan Maurits of Nassau commissioned
this house. It was completed in 1644 by Pieter
Post in the North Dutch Classical style with
influences from the Italian Renaissance and
has a marvellous view of the Hofvijver.
After the death of Maurits in 1679, the house
passed into state hands and, in 1822, became
the home of the royal painting collection.
Though the collection is not large, it contains . The Anatomy Lesson of
almost exclusively superior works by old Dr Nicolaes Tulp (1632)
Rembrandt’s painting of doctors
masters. This, combined with the exquisite examining a corpse reflects the
presentation in elegant period rooms, makes burgeoning contemporary interest
the Mauritshuis one of the finest galleries in in anatomy and science.
the Netherlands.

Museum Guide
The three floors of this museum are hung with paintings from Ground floor
top to bottom. To feature all aspects of the collection, the
exhibits are constantly changing. The masterpieces are always
on view, although not always hanging in the same location.
Present ation is pleasantly haphazard, but all the paintings
are label led with the artist, title and year. A new
exhibition wing has been added to the museum,
connected to the historic building by an
underground foyer, which also houses a
brasserie and a well-stocked shop.

Basement

Vase with Flowers (1618)
Ambrosius Bosschaert captured the
beauty of summer flowers but added
the flies to remind us of our mortality.

Bordello Scene
(1658) This typical 17th-century
genre painting of a brothel
scene by Frans van Mieris
de Oude (1635–81) has an Main
unmistakable erotic undertone. staircase
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp397–8 and pp410–11

226-227_EW_Netherlands.indd 226 16/01/17 11:54 am