In the Rijksmuseum print cabinets

Celebrating Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary

Three print cabinets trace Amsterdam’s changes and growth across the centuries, from its beginnings as a trading port to the city of today. The print cabinet for the middle ages and the Renaissance contains a display of work of Cornelis Anthonisz (1505–1552), one of the city’s earliest great artists. It centres on his impressive 1544 city map, which was printed using 12 woodblocks. Without access to any of our modern tools, Anthonisz created detailed depictions of the buildings, the harbour front and the surrounding polder landscape. The map is part of the Atlas Amsterdam collection held by the Dutch Royal Antiquarian Society (KOG).

You will also find famous Amsterdam landmarks in the 18th-century cabinet, with its display of part ofthe KOG’s extensive historical topographic atlas of Amsterdam. The atlas comprises more than 23,000 drawings and prints, including satirical cartoons, portraits, architectural drawings, New Year’s greetings, and lists of church ministers and regents. Familiar buildings and sights include the Schreierstoren, a view of the Amstel river, the Nieuwe Kerk and the weigh-house (waag) on DamSquare.

You can almost hear the sounds of 19th-century Amsterdam rising from the 19th-century cabinet. Gustav Mahler (1860–1911), one of the most influential composers of his era, found his musical home in the city. His friendship with conductor Willem Mengelberg and composer Alphons Diepenbrock gave rise to outstanding concerts at the Concertgebouw. Following Mahler’s death in 1911, in 1920 Mengelberg staged the Mahler Festival, a major event paying tribute to his friend. In May 2025 the festival will return to the Concertgebouw for its third edition. This cabinet marks the occasion with a display of exceptional objects that bring to life Mahler’s connection with the Netherlands and his musical friend.

The extraordinary collages of Michael Snijders

We tend to associate collage with modern art, but these collage prints by Michael Snijders (1586–1672) – showing an assortment of ears, eyes, heads, animals and flowers – show that it was already a much-loved medium in the 17th century. Snijders’ collages combine striking details from both famous and obscure copperplate artworks. He used them to make the prints that are now on display in the cabinet for early 17th-century work. They offer fascinating insights into the interests and creative mind of this Antwerp printmaker. As well as being an inspiration and example for illustrators and printmakers, they offer an exciting challenge for art lovers – how many details can you identify?

Gerard de Lairesse

Gerard de Lairesse (1641–1711) was one of the most successful artists of the second half of the 17th century. He was best known for his large decorative paintings on walls and ceilings in the homes of the wealthy bourgeoisie. As well as through his paintings, however, De Lairesse exerted an enduring influence through his books Grondlegginge ter Teekenkonst (‘Foundations of the art of drawing’,1701) and Groot Schilderboek (‘Great painting book’, 1707). The display in the cabinet for late 17th-century prints centres on De Lairesse’s drawings. Most examples of this type of work by the artist in the Rijksmuseum collection are studies and design drawings for illustrations or allegorical prints. They testify to De Lairesse’s deep interest in classical antiquity, and his keen eye for accurate detailing and symmetrical composition. As he himself put it, ‘It is better to be precise than to be negligent.