Mauritshuis
Royal Picture Gallery
Published: 17 November 2010 Modified: 16 December 2011
The Mauritshuis is celebrated for its world famous collection of Dutch masterpieces from the 17th century. You’ll find a unique collection of paintings in this museum, once the home of Count Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen.
The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis is housed in one of Holland's most outstanding classicist buildings next to the Binnenhof in The Hague’s fashionable city centre. The main collection consists of paintings from the Golden Age and a number of paintings from the 18th century. Over the last 200 years the collection of the Mauritshuis has grown from 200 paintings in 1822 to nearly 800 at present.
Paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen and Frans Hals form the core of the collection.
Unique collection
While the Mauritshuis is mainly known for its Dutch Golden Age paintings, including the Girl with a Pearl Earring, there is much more to see. How about a wonderful overview of Dutch and Flemish painting from the 15th to the 18th century? From Flemish primitive art to sun-drenched landscapes, from Biblical figures to detailed still lifes and from serene interiors to humorous genre pieces.
From home to museum
The Mauritshuis was named after the man who had it built: Count Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen. Johan Maurits was the governor of the Dutch colony in Brazil from 1636 to 1644, during which period this house was built for him. He entrusted the project to the best architects of his day: Jacob van Campen and his assistant Pieter Post.
In 1820 the Dutch state bought the Mauritshuis for the purpose of housing the Royal Cabinet of Paintings. The new museum opened its doors in 1822. It was a state museum until it was privatised in 1995.
Opening hours
Tuesday to Saturday from 10.00 to 17.00 hrs.
Sunday from 11.00 to 17.00 hrs.
From April to May also open Mondays from 10.00 to 17.00 hrs.
Closed 1 January and 25 December
Wheelchair accessibility
Disabled visitors have the following amenities:
Lift
Disabled toilet
Wheelchairs
Address & contact
The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis
Korte Vijverberg 8
2513 AB The Hague
Telephone: (070) 302 34 56
Email: communicatie@mauritshuis.nl
Website: www.mauritshuis.nl
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