The Golden Age of Amsterdam and the Hague
The reopening of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Mauritshuis in the Hague, with their superb collections of Dutch paintings from the Golden Age, including masterpieces such as Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring, Fabritius’ Goldfinch, and Rembrandt’s Night Watch, has attracted enormous interest in these two major Dutch cities (both the former paintings have been the subject of best-selling books and were part of a sell-out exhibition in the United States).
We will be making a number of private visits to the 17th century town houses which are such a delightful feature in both cities. These include the residence of the British ambassador housing major works from the Government Art Collection to the Netherlands, the Ship Chandler’s Warehouse, a fascinating survival of the period of Holland’s maritime dominance, and a townhouse in Amsterdam splendidly decorated by one of the leading curators at the Rijksmuseum.
Hotel: The Amstel Intercontinental Hotel in Amsterdam combines modern luxury with the grandeur of a 19th residence on the banks of the River Amstel. The riverside terrace and restaurant offer wonderful views of the passing water traffic.
Lecturer: Charles FitzRoy
Tour Leaders: Charles FitzRoy and Jane Rae