Point of view

These 150 paintings, prints, drawings, costumes, accessories, sculptures, photographs and furniture items from the Rijksmuseum collection show that gender is everywhere. See the 17th-century portraits in which all the children are wearing dresses. Discover how, in the 18th century, anybody who could afford it was wearing pink – as well as glitter, frills and floral patterns. Displayed together, these objects show that our ideas about masculinity, femininity and gender in its broadest sense are defined by their time and place.

Includes artworks by Gesina ter Borch, Marlene Dumas, Bartholomeus van der Helst, Kinke Kooi, Robert Mapplethorpe, Erwin Olaf, Maria Roosen, Charley Toorop and Sara Troost.

GENDER DIVERSITY

Point of View shows there have always been people whose identity, experiences and mode of expression didn’t fit the conventions around masculinity and femininity. One example from history is Christina, Queen of Sweden (1626-1689), who had herself portrayed in both female and male form. The exhibition also features portraits of more recent gender-fluid icons including Robert Mapplethorpe and Grace Jones.

GENDER THROUGH THE EYES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

The exhibition ends with a contemporary perspective on gender. Photographer Bete van Meeuwen worked with a group of 10 college students whose photographs show what gender means to them.

Thanks

Point of View is made possible in part by Fonds 21 and the Rijksmuseum Club. The exhibition is the result of multiple collaborations with a wide range of experts from outside the museum. Contributors include COC Nederland and Lilith Agency.