When in Amsterdam......visit a Canal House Museum. Set on Amsterdam's UNESCO World Heritage Canals you step back into the existence of the city's social and merchant elite. These museums are away from the crowds and let you wander the rooms and gardens of valuable canal mansions. Value for money if used with the museum card or IAmsterdam card.
The Geelvinck Hinlopen Family
The Geelvinck Family were a regent merchant family who made their fortune shipping in Spain, Africa and the West Indies. Five of the Geelvinck family became lord mayors of Amsterdam and their name was given to the ship that explored Western Australian and New Guinea.
Albert Geelvinck was a lawyer and an involved businessman in Suriname. He married the rich orphan Sara Hinlopen. Sara's father was a wealthy flemish cloth merchant, was an initial investor in the Dutch East Indies Company and also a great patron of the arts. Sara was orphaned at the age of six after her father died aged 40 years old.
 |
| Entrance Geelvink Hinlopen House Museum Amsterdam |
The House
The house was compelted in 1687. It was purchased by the Geelvinck family to entertain guests. Built on the newly developed Herengracht near the Amstel. In the late 1600s this was the area of rich Amsterdam families.
The museum's entrance is through the Coach House on the Keizersgracht just down the road from Foam (photography museum). After dropping off bags in the lockers provided we exit the Coach House and enter a wonderful quiet garden. The rear of the garden is designed in Renaissance style while the front section is of symmetrical French style.
The museum's entrance is through the Coach House on the Keizersgracht just down the road from Foam (photography museum). After dropping off bags in the lockers provided we exit the Coach House and enter a wonderful quiet garden. The rear of the garden is designed in Renaissance style while the front section is of symmetrical French style.
 |
| Garden - Geelvink Hinlopen House Museum Amsterdam |
On entering the rear of the house you are greeted by a volunteer tour guide. The guide takes you through the first floor. We did the tour in English. This tour distinguishes the Geelvinck Hinlopen House from the other Canal House museums of merchant Amsterdam families. The guide's insight brings the richly decorated house alive.
In the foyer hangs a 400 year old tapestry. Designed by Felmish Michiel Coxie. The tapestry depicts Cyrus the Great of Persia (550 BC) and and Croesus the Rich of Lydia. Despite Cyrus capturing Croesus he did not kill him by rather made him a prinicple minister.
There are four period rooms that are decrorated in late 18th century styles. Rococo and neo classical styles are prominent. From May until June the museum is celebrating 400 years of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands. The downstairs area houses the exhibition.
When in Amsterdam...enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment