Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam

The Rembrandt House Museum is the former home and workspace of the Dutch painter, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn. It was later converted into an art museum. Located in central Amsterdam, the centre has a great collection of Rembrandt's paintings as well as exhibitions that change with the season.

Most of the museum is only a recreation of how it used to look in the 17^thcentury, so it doesn’t display any of Rembrandt’s original furniture. This, however, has not stopped art lovers from paying a visit to this historic establishment. On the outside, the Rembrandt House Museum retains an old-school brick look while its bright red windows serve to attract the attention of guests walking past. Unlike its neighbouring buildings with their modern glass doors, the museum's wooden doors are painted bright green, making the establishment difficult to miss.

Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam - one of the highlights of 10 Best Museums and Galleries in Amsterdam (Read all about Amsterdam here)

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A brief history of the Rembrandt House Museum

While there isn't a record of when the house itself was built, it's well known that Rembrandt himself acquired the house in 1639. Following the purchase, the painter proceeded to live and work in this space up until 1656, when he was declared bankrupt. Most of Rembrandt's belongings were then put up for auction as a way of repaying his debts.

The museum itself was established in 1911 and displays much of Rembrandt's paintings and prints. A recreation of Rembrandt's former bedroom and collection studio was also made to further entice art lovers to visit, giving the museum a touch of history – as if the painter’s art pieces were not already enough!

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What are the highlights of the Rembrandt House Museum?

Aside from the recreated living space and studio decorations, most of the displays at the Rembrandt House Museum are originals by Rembrandt himself. Certain collections are incomplete but are still worthy of a look. To keep things fresh, museum volunteers often switch the art pieces around so there’s always something new to discover each time you set foot in the museum. An audio guide is included in your ticket, so you can explore the museum without a guide and at your own pace.

Families visiting with young children will be glad to know the museum hosts a variety of kid-friendly activities to keep them entertained. There’s a children’s route around the museum, as well as simple drawing lessons so your little ones can learn to draw following Rembrandt’s art style.

Good to know about the Rembrandt House Museum

To reach the Rembrandt House Museum, you can hop on the 51, 53, or 54 Metro trains. Alight the Waterlooplein station and you'll arrive at the museum's doorsteps in just 5 minutes on foot. You can also ride the line 9 or 14 tram and hop off at the Waterlooplein stop. These are included in the GVB Day Pass as complimentary rides, making it easy to visit the museum even if you’re only in the city for a day.

Buying your tickets online and booking your timeslots is required for a visit. The museum is also free to enter if you have the I Amsterdam City Card. Complimentary lockers are available on-site, so you’re welcome to leave your bags and umbrellas before touring the museum.

Thanks to the Rembrandt House Museum’s central location, you’ll be able to visit numerous other tourist spots after you're done with this one. Some notable spots include the restored Zuiderkerk church that was built in 1611 and the famous Waterlooplein Market that opens 6 days a week, excluding Sundays. The flea market has been around since the 19^thcentury and hosts up to 300 stalls offering local snacks, vintage items, and fresh produce.