Bodies' Stories

The Bodies' Stories project is the Rijksmuseum's research programme into physical and mental diversity in the collection. The project focuses on vulnerability, resilience, and diversity of the body.

MISSION

The project focuses on research to increase and anchor the visibility and understanding of physical diversity in art- and cultural history.

GOAL

The Rijksmuseum aims to engage a wide and diverse audience, ensuring that visitors from all walks of life can see themselves reflected in the museum’s objects, stories, displays, and publications. After all, the museum connects art, history, and people – everyone. The programme includes exploring a range of perspectives, from temporary and chronic illnesses to mental health, as well as intellectual, sensory, cognitive, and physical disabilities or handicaps. The scholarly research complements the existing narratives within the collection. The project has a positive effect on the recognition, acknowledgement and normalization of bodily diversity.

The project has three key approaches:

1. Research into language in relation to disabilities or handicaps.
   The terminology related to disabilities is examined. An example of this is the term 'crippled', which held a different meaning in the 17th century than it does today, where it is mainly experienced as derogatory. When addressing potentially problematic terminology, external experts are consulted to develop a nuanced understanding of contemporary, alternative expressions. Language research serves as a foundation for a deeper understanding of history, making it accessible and open for discussion in a more informal context.

2. Research into representation.
   The depictions of, about and by people with a disability or handicap in the collection are studied and documented.

3. Research into the biographies of individuals and makers in the collection.
   The biographical information and additions will be registered in the information systems.

CONTACT

For questions or comments about accessibility, please see this page.

If you wish like to contribute or receive more information about donating, please contact us at schenkingen@rijksmuseum.nl or +31 20 6747497

THANKS TO

Bartiméus Fonds