Works of art - FAQ

1. Where can I find information about an artwork in the Rijksmuseum collection?

Part of the collection can be found on our website. For more information, you can visit our reading room which is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm. Visiting address: Frans van Mierisstraat 92, 1071 RZ Amsterdam, Tel.: +31 (0)20 6747267. The reading room is closed on public holidays, i.e. New Year's day (1 January), Easter Monday, Queen's Day, Liberation Day (5 May), Ascension Day, Whitmonday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25 and 26 December). The library catalogue can be consulted online.

2. How can I find information on a particular artist?

Information about artists is available from the Netherlands Institute for Art History in The Hague , or the Union List of Artist Names online.

3. Where can I find information on a family tree?

For information of this nature, please contact the Family History Centre of the Central Bureau for Genealogy (CBG). This is the Dutch information and documentation centre for genealogy, family history and related sciences.

4. How can I order visual material from the collection?

Visual material can be ordered from Photoservice. The form for ordering visual material can be found on the Photoservice webpage.

5. Can you give an indication of how much an artwork is worth?

The Rijksmuseum's services are limited to providing information about history and art history. For appraisals please contact an auction house, art dealer or independent valuer.

6. Can you give me more information about my artwork?

Paintings, prints and drawings

Are you curious about a piece of art you own? Would you like to find out more about the artist, style or art movement and the period in which it was made? Or perhaps you would like to find out more about a letter from an artist which you have in your possession? You are more than welcome to drop in to the RKD during the National Archive day with a piece of art (painting, drawing or print) for an evaluation.

For other objects please contact: documentationinfo@rijksmuseum.nl.

Your email must contain the following information:

1. A clear description of the object (dimensions, materials, signature/inscription/numbers if available)

2. A clear photograph, preferably also with a close-up of any hallmarks/signature (if present)

3. Information on the origin of the object (how did you come to possess it?)

You will receive an answer within several weeks. Please note that the Rijksmuseum will not make any official statements regarding the authenticity of the object. Using our visual documentation collection, we will attempt to assess whether a work of art has been attributed to the right artist, and whether it is authentic or a copy/reproduction.

The Rijksmuseum's services are limited to providing information about history and art history. For appraisals please contact an auction house, art dealer or independent valuer.