A Divine Gift

Christmas exhibition with new and restored masterpieces

This year, the Rijksmuseum will celebrate Christmas with an exquisite selection of sculptures and paintings. Ten paintings, which will later become part of the New Rijksmuseum permanent exhibition, will again be on display after a long absence. Several of the works underwent extensive restoration and are more resplendent than ever.

Highlights of the Christmas exhibition will include the breathtaking Madonna and Child, attributed to 16th century artist Adriaen Isenbrant (1490-1551), and one of the most spectacular works from the mediaeval paintings collection The Holy Kinship (c. 1490) by Geertgen tot Sint Jans.

In addition to the paintings, several magnificent sculptures recently donated to the Rijksmuseum from the last large private collection of mediaeval art in the Netherlands will also be displayed, including the particularly elegant Madonna with Christ Child from Brussels, a seemingly modern piece Peter in Mourning and a lovely Pietà made of clay.

A Divine Gift will be on display in the Philips Wing of the Rijksmuseum from 14 December 2011 to 26 March 2012.