Natherlands - Last day

I had flown into Amsterdam Thursday night. Had the tour bus all day Friday (see the previous post for that and all the pictures from the Tulip Festival). Saturday I went to the Rijks museum.

I have an Associate of Art degree in Graphic Design and Photography. Then while I was at Metropolitan State University I was double majoring in Art Communications (a 4 year graphic design degree) AND Music Composition. When I hurt my hand I transferred to the University of Denver which did not have the art degree I wanted so I just did music. ALL this being said, I have done 2 years of art history and LOVE it. The Rijks Museum is Amsterdam's art museum.

I have always been interested in Dutch art. From what I remember their Still Life paintings have hidden meaning in them. It was suppose to represent the wealth here on earth BUT all the items are decaying --- cut flowers, picked fruit, hunted animals.... All of this was suppose to point our minds to Heavenly things. We have wealth on earth, but should look forward to a heavenly kingdom. It just intrigued me how different their art was at that time in history (Counter Reformation) when the Catholic church was working hard to refresh their image by creating new works of art. The Dutch, (being Protestants) stayed away from Biblical images in their art work, particularly imagines of Christ. Therefore therefore they focused on Still Life's, Scenery (making the windmill iconic), and Portraits. Also, they were highly interested in representing spherical shapes and reflections (mirrors) in their work.

Anyways, I really wanted to go to the art  museum. I knew Rembrandt (The Night Watch) and Van Gogh works would be there. I was hoping to find a waffle/crepe breakfast place along the way, but without cellular data I just had breakfast at the cafe in the museum.

The Rijks Museum

 I walked into the first exhibit and to my left was this painting---- It was one my FAVORITE works from art history class. I didn't even know it was here! I was SO excited to see it.

 Here are some other works that caught my eye --- I tried to take a picture of the description as well so I could remember them.

VERY interesting. This painting was a "lesson" for others. My audio guide also said something about how the Dutch saw playing the bagpipes as a negative thing. 

 I remember this one from class as well:

The Night Watch by Rembrandt --- the reason I wanted to come

Since I wouldn't have time to go to the Amsterdam museum to learn about the Netherlands, I enjoyed reading any sign about the history as well.. took a few pictures of those to help me remember...

Can you imagine drinking from these!?

 I thought this was interesting.

It was just for decoration... but beautiful!

This is why the blue and white pottery: There was another sign talking about how the Dutch were involved in the East (where this pottery really originates). Mary Stuart just liked it so much it became a thing in the Netherlands.  

This is a baby Rattle.... Doubles as a whistle! Wow.

The Library... (see sign below)

More history:

This is interesting. No one could trade with Japan EXCEPT the Netherlands until 1854!

Van Gogh (I didn't make it to the Van Gogh museum. Grateful I got to see some of his works...)

 Wow. Read the description.

I didn't know this was here either!!! Again, I was excited to find it.

Because it's cool. 

After the museum, I went and found a little boutique cheese shop -- bought a lot. (The two cheese knives I bought at the Keukenhof Garden). Then had to go to Starbucks and get my Netherlands mug. :) By then I didn't have much time left before my bus ride to the airport so I headed back to my hotel. 

I would LOVE to go back to the Netherlands. I really enjoyed it there. Many museums and places I'd still love to go see.