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Monumental cabinets

A pinnacle of 17th-century cabinetmaking by Herman Doomer

A cabinet to really show off. An impressive work of art in ebony and mother-of-pearl. This newly acquired showpiece cabinet is by the most important Dutch furniture maker of the 17th century. After centuries of private ownership, you can now see it for yourself.

HERMAN DOOMER

Herman Doomer (c. 1595-1650) was the leading cabinetmaker in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Born in Anrath, Germany, he settled in Amsterdam in 1613. Doomer introduced new styles and techniques to cabinetmaking, and the two rare pieces by him in the Rijksmuseum collection are exceptional examples of these developments. .

THIS MAGNIFICENT 17TH-CENTURY EBONY CABINET IS A TESTAMENT TO HOW AHEAD OF HIS TIME HERMAN DOOMER WAS, AND A MONUMENT TO HIS ABILITIES. WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL TO THE PLAYERS OF THE FRIENDS LOTTERY AND DONORS FOR MAKING THIS ACQUISITION POSSIBLE.

Taco Dibbits, Director of the Rijksmuseum

Opening of the cabinets

The cabinets will be opened 4 times by our conservators during the presentation at the Gallery of Honour. That is on: 1 December, 5 January, 2 February, 2 March, at 4pm each time. You don't need a seperate reservations for this.

REMBRANDT

We know that Rembrandt was a great admirer of Doomer’s work. Like the painter, the cabinetmaker lifted the arts in Amsterdam to new heights. Rembrandt painted portraits of Herman Doomer and his wife Baertje Martens in 1640. These paintings now hang in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Hermitage in St Petersburg.

BAROQUE INNOVATION

The recently acquired cabinet bears witness to Doomer’s search for a new style. While the lower section is fairly traditional, in the upper section the cabinetmaker introduced movement and Baroque innovation, such as in the fan-shaped ripple and twisted columns. The cabinet is inlaid with costly ebony wood and radiant mother-of-pearl – a combination that was entirely new to Amsterdam. The other Doomer cabinet in the Rijksmuseum collection was made several years later, by which time baroque was firmly established.

We thanks

This acquisition was made possible by the support of the VriendenLoterij, A.C. de Drijver and a private donor through the Rijksmuseum Fund.

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Total

Until 14 March
Gallery of Honour

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  • Adults: €22,50
  • Free for 18 and under
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1071 XX Amsterdam

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Cupboard Cupboard

Cupboard by Herman Doomer

1:12 min. - Made by the specialist in ebony work and Rembrandt’s friend

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Gallery of Honour

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