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Crawly creatures

From horror to wonder

The Rijksmuseum is teeming with more than a thousand colourful butterflies, hairy spiders and glistening toads. The more than 140 paintings, sculptures, books and preserved specimens reflect the ever-changing perceptions of crawly creatures in the arts and sciences.

FROM HORROR TO WONDER

Crawly Creatures takes a close look at these changing perceptions in 140 objects, with highlights including the first drawing that took an insect as its main subject, made in 1505 by Albrecht Dürer, and Peter Paul Rubens’ Head of Medusa (1617-18). And we discover how this emerging appreciation for crawly creatures gave rise to a new painting genre known as sottobosco, meaning ‘forest flora and fauna’. The inventor of the genre, Otto Marseus van Schrieck, even bred reptiles, amphibians and insects himself. See for yourself how Sottobosco paintings merge the arts and sciences, in the final gallery of the exhibition.

From the 17th century to the present day

How do we see these little beings today? Are they really creepy crawlies at all? Only now, when it’s perhaps too late, are we realising how important they are to our ecosystems.

The exhibition also features work by the contemporary artists Tomás Saraceno and Rafael Gomezbarros.

This exhibition runs concurrently with the Clara the Rhinoceros exhibition.

PROGRAMME

A workshop Making Ants and an audio tour: there are several ways to delve into de exhibition’s subjects. The audio tour, with Sosha Duysker and curators Jan de Hond and Gijs van der Ham, guides you along the art works in the exhibitions.

BOOK

The exhibition is accompanied by the book Crawly Creatures, with contributions from Jan de Hond, Eric Jorink, Hans Mulder and others.

Do you have entomophobia or arachnophobia?

On your way to the exhibition, you will come across an artwork called Casa Tomada by Rafael Gomezbarros. Here you can see a large number of magnified ants. For people with entomophobia (fear of insects), this might trigger reactions. There are no live animals in the exhibitions. However, there is an artwork consisting of real spider webs. For people with arachnophobia, this could trigger reactions. You can skip this room.

THANKS!

The exhibition is made possible in part by a private donor through the Rijksmuseum Fonds and Stichting Thurkowfonds.

Visit Point of view and the Rijksmuseum

Select your tickets

Entrance adult

€22.50

Entrance ages 18 and under

Free

Entrance EYCA

€11.25

I already have a ticket/voucher

Free

Select this option if you already have a valid ticket such as an E-ticket, I amsterdam City Card, VriendenLoterij VIP ticket, GoCity, KOG membership card, KVVAK, Rembrandt Association (Vereniging Rembrandt), or if you are accompanying a visitor with a disability. If you have a pass, be sure to bring the pass with you during your visit. It will be checked at the entrance.

You are required to reserve a starting time.

For employees of our partners, a free employee access arrangement applies. If you have any questions, you can also check directly with your employer.

For holders of an ICOM or ICOMOS-card, it is not necessary to reserve a start time. However, please bring the physical card with you during your visit, as it will be checked at the entrance.

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Total

30 Sept. - 15 Jan. 2023
Philips wing

Prices

  • Adults: €20
  • Free for 18 and under
  • Free for Friends

See all prices

Start time

A visit starts with a start time. You can book one here.

Only Friends of the museum can come when they want without making a booking.

Address

Museumstraat 1
1071 XX Amsterdam

Accessibility

Wheelchair access
Guide dogs allowed
Lifts on every floor

CASHLESS

In the whole museum you can only pay with your favourite digital payment method or credit card. This applies to all shops and catering outlets.

FAQ

Free cloak room
Photography allowed
Free WiFi

All practical info

Peter Paul Rubens, The Head of Medusa, 1617-18. Moravian Gallery, Brno

1 | 6

Rustiques figulines, Attributed to Bernard Palissy, Rustiques figulines, ca. 1550-60. Louvre, Paris

1 | 6

Preparaten op sterk water uit de verzameling van Albertus Seba, 1717–1736 (?) Berlijn, Museum für Naturkunde (MfN)

1 | 6

Albrecht Dürer, Stang-beetle, 1505. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

1 | 6

Maria Sibylla Merian, Branch of Pomelo with Green-Banded Urania Moth. On loan Royal Collection Trust / Hare Majesteit Queen Elizabeth II 2022

1 | 6

Table ornament Table ornament

Table ornament, Wenzel Jamnitzer, 1549

1 | 6

In the exhibition

Practical info

Our opening hours, address and more

New!

Stories clara and Crawly creatures

Lean back and discover the stories