Pieter Roelofs announced as new Head of Fine Arts Rijksmuseum
Publication date: 23 March 2023 - 09:15
The Rijksmuseum has appointed Pieter Roelofs to head its Fine Arts department. He will succeed Gregor J.M. Weber, who is retiring this spring. Roelofs began his career at the Rijksmuseum in 2006 as curator of 17th-century painting. In 2018, he took up the role of Head of Paintings and Sculpture. He was closely involved in the major refurbishment of the Rijksmuseum, which reopened in 2013, and in numerous acquisitions and exhibitions, including Vermeer (2023).
We are delighted that Gregor Weber’s successor will be Pieter Roelofs. With his broad experience and expertise in the field of Dutch art, he is certain to continue making a major contribution to the museum. Roelofs is also an excellent communicator on academic and scientific subjects, making them accessible to general audiences.
Taco Dibbits, Director of the Rijksmuseum
In 2015, Roelofs was a fellow of the Center for Curatorial Leadership in New York. His wide-ranging published work spans from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. From 2019 he headed the jury for three seasons of the successful television programme Project Rembrandt (NPO1/NTR). Roelofs is now a specialist and jury member on De Nieuwe Vermeer (‘The New Vermeer’) a new programme on NPO1 / Omroep MAX.
Roelofs previously worked at Radboud University; the European Center at Emerson College, Boston; and Museum Het Valkhof, Nijmegen. He studied Art History and Classical Archaeology at Radboud University, Nijmegen, and the University of Amsterdam .
Fine arts
The Rijksmuseum’s Department of Fine Arts incorporates its collections of paintings and sculpture, decorative arts, and Asian art. It manages one of the world’s most important collections of Dutch art.
Vital support
The Rijksmuseum is grateful for all the forms of support it receives. Government funding, contributions from the business sector and funding organisations, as well as gifts, bequests and Friends are all of vital importance to the Rijksmuseum.
Photo: Stef Nagel