During the May holiday, there is plenty to do at the Rembrandt House Museum for families with children. Create your own 3D painting, discover the 3D artist Samuel van Hoogstraten, go on a multimedia tour with Rembrandt’s dog Kwast, and paint and etch at Rembrandt’s home!
Extra fun: thanks to Bader Philanthropies, all Amsterdam residents can visit the museum for free on April 28th!
Last chance for the exhibition: The Illusionist. Samuel Van Hoogstraten
Only until May 4th.
Since the seventeenth century, artist Samuel van Hoogstraten knew how to deceive the brain with optical illusions. Over fifty of his works are currently on display in the museum.
You wouldn’t say it, but around four centuries ago, a 3D artist was born. That was Samuel van Hoogstraten, a pupil of Rembrandt who would grow into a true illusionist. Nowadays, it’s easy to edit images online, but in the seventeenth century, everything had to be done with ink and paint. Samuel van Hoogstraten was very skilled at this. It’s incredible how he still manages to deceive our eyes, even today. And all with a paintbrush and paint! Look at his bulletin board with letters and other items. Behind red ribbons, you’ll see scissors, a pearl necklace, a gold medallion, and, of course, letters. You feel like you could just grab them.
And the old man who sticks his head out the window—Old Man at the Window—doesn’t really come forward, does he? No, it only seems that way. The trick is that he painted everything exactly as you would see it in real life. On the stone windowsill is a bottle that you’d want to put in your bag.
The exhibition “The Illusionist” is also fun for families with children. Get to know Samuel van Hoogstraten, the 3D artist of his time. Step into a life-sized perspective box. And discover how he deceives your eyes with the multimedia tour.
May Holiday: 3D Painting Workshops for Families
During the May holiday, paint a view that you can step into. A museum educator will teach you in a few steps how to make a 3D painting. At the end, you can take a photo with your creation and take it home. This workshop is suitable for everyone aged 8 and up. Children and their accompanying adults need to book a ticket.
Dates: April 19 – May 4, except April 26
Time: 13:00 – 15:00
Age: For the whole family, from 8 years old.
Price: €10 excluding museum entry. With the City Pass, the workshop and museum entry are free.
Extra info: Maximum of 16 participants. The workshop lasts one and a half hours.
Reservations can be made here: Rembrandt House Museum – Online tickets
How Did Rembrandt Make His Paints and Etchings?
Daily, there is a free paint or etching demonstration at the museum. In Rembrandt’s studio, discover how he made his paints and what materials he used—from toxic lead and bright red cochineal to fragrant linseed oil and even pig bladders! You can also get hands-on during the May holiday: mix paint on the paintstone and create something beautiful on a canvas. On the etching floor, you’ll see step-by-step how Rembrandt made his etchings. A special bonus: one of his etchings features Kwast! And everyone gets a print (either an etching or a postcard) to take home.
Times: Between 10:30 and 15:30. No reservation required.
Go on an adventure with Kwast (from age 6)
Rembrandt wasn’t just a great artist; he was also an animal lover. Many of his paintings and etchings feature animals. One animal that appears surprisingly often is his dog, Kwast. Kwast knows all the secret nooks and crannies in the house—an ideal tour guide! The new multimedia tour takes you on an adventure through the Rembrandt House Museum, together with Kwast. Everyone gets a gift at the end.
April 28: Free Entry for Amsterdam Residents
On April 28th, Amsterdam residents can visit the museum for free by showing a piece of mail with their home address in Amsterdam.
Reserve your ticket online in advance; 500 tickets are available, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. You can reserve your ticket here: Museum Rembrandthuis – online tickets
This free opening is made possible by Bader Philanthropies, in honor of the 101st birthday of Alfred Bader (1924-2018). Alfred Bader was an American art collector and great admirer of Rembrandt. He also collected works by Rembrandt’s friends and students, regularly lending them for exhibitions, including at the Rembrandt House Museum. Alfred Bader passed away in 2018, and his wife Isabel in 2022. They left their art collection to museums. The Bader Philanthropies fund was established to support various causes, including Alzheimer’s research, social equality, Jewish causes, and the promotion and enjoyment of art.
