Asia in Amsterdam: a Rijksmuseum exhibition

When in Amsterdam...the Rijksmuseum has an exhibition on Asia from the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1599, expeditionary ships return from Asia to Amsterdam laden with goods. This arrival hailed the beginning of Amsterdam as a world power and the arrival of the Dutch Golden Age.

The Return to Amsterdam of the Second Expedition to the East Indies.
Hendrik Cornelisz Vroom, 1599.

The exhibition Asia in Amsterdam: Luxury in the Golden Age demonstrates the grandeur of Amsterdam and its elite during this period.

The Dutch East India Shipping Company (VOC) filled Dutch homes with treasures from Asian settlements. Porcelain, diamonds, spices and silks. From locations such as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Japan and of course Indonesia. 

The influx of these new goods was overwhelming. Local artisans were influenced by these new goods. They adopted Asian techniques and styles creating works of art that today are considered icons of Dutchness. Delft Blue porcelain is the obvious example.

The volume of goods from trading merchants of the East attracted an influx of immigrants  from surrounding European countries. Knowledge and experience accumulated. Advancements were made particularly in ship building and cartography. Amsterdam became the place to go in Europe for Asian goods.

This exhibition displays imported Asian luxury goods along side local art. Demonstrating the the clear influence the Asian works had on Dutch life and art during the 17th and 18th Centuries.

What the exhibition is missing is artifacts or stories of the normal sailor, trade worker or prostitute. An acknowledgement of the vast number of people associated with this trade that did not possess these luxury items.

It is the National Museum of the Netherlands but in this time of austerity an exhibition of luxury and grandeur would have greater impact with a tale or two of those that did fully enjoy these treasures from the other side of the world.

Nonetheless, a worthwhile exhibition to visit. Our favorite pieces of the exhibition are below.

Letter of safe conduct with its original box. Japan 1609.

This letter was one of four issued by the military leader of Japan (Shogun) to the most important member of the Dutch trade delegation. The Dutch were the only European country to trade with the the Japanese for almost 200 years. This relationship can be seen today with Dutch influence in the Japanese language and pieces of Van Gogh's art.

Breast Ornament, c.1630 gold, diamonds, enamel.

Rough, uncut diamonds found their way to Amsterdam. Amsterdam became the center of Europe's diamond industry surpassing Antwerp. During the 17th century diamonds could only be found in Asia.

Plate, Japan, c. 1680 - 1700

This plate with the monogram of the VOC (Dutch East Indies Company) was made in Japan. Europeans knew little of the making process in the early 1600s. The process would be learned and perfected to become an icon of the country today, Delft Blue porcelain.

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The exhibition Asia in Amsterdam: Luxury in the Golden Age runs until January 17, 2016.

Details to plan your visit can be at the website of the Rijksmuseum

When in Amsterdam...enjoy!

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Amsterdam Museum: The Golden Age Exhibition: gateway to our modern world

When in Amsterdam.... the city was the wealthiest in Europe at the beginning of the 1600s. The Amsterdam Museum is currently holding an exhibition of the Dutch Golden Age, the seventeenth century. This exhibition explores a period of history when the  Netherlands influenced the world. This influence still shapes the country and how the world sees the Netherlands today.

The period was an age of economic, social, religious and engineering development. Names such as the Dutch East India Company, Rembrandt, Spinoza rose to fame. These names are still household names today. The exhibition does well to delve into a period rich with content.

The curators have used traditional and contemporary techniques. Paintings and artifacts transport guests back to an age of enormous wealth in Amsterdam. These elements are enhanced by documentary segments hosted on television screens. Interactive touch screens enable guests to explore details of paintings and maps of the Netherlands and Amsterdam. In a year when Amsterdam celebrates the 400th anniversary of the city's world heritage listed canals this exhibition brings to life the period.

The limitations of the exhibition is that Amsterdam as a focus is often lost. The display is almost worthy of a Holland exhibition of the period belonging in the national museum. Everyday life in Amsterdam during the period is segued and focuses on the elite, the riches and the celebrated achievements. How people went about their daily lives such as getting water, disposing of waste, schooling and education for all segments of Amsterdam is the depth missing from the exhibition. There is often a feeling there is no new Amsterdam insights, old displays rearranged and slightly expanded. Limitations aside there is much to learn and appreciate.

The most appreciated part of the exhibition is the recognition of a small country glorifying a Golden Age long past. The 17th Century was a period of war and slavery. The Dutch often encouraged and stimulated violence to enhance financial benefit, the VOC mentality. For centuries this period of influence and power was glorified and taught as the Dutch in their finest hour. This is recognized in the final room of the exhibition.

Another positive to the exhibition is the links of the Golden Age to the present day Netherlands. Female independence and childhood education today are connected to Golden Age developments. Land reclamation projects of the Golden Age surrounding Amsterdam also demonstrate the period's influence on today's geography.

For those interested in more depth the book(of the same name) published in associated with the exhibition is very well done. Normally, exhibition books are a catalog of artifacts and the small descriptions guests have just experienced. The book adds to the exhibition in a way few exhibitions do.

The Amsterdam Museum's Golden Age Exhibition is a wonderful mix of riches of the period mixed with documentary insights when Amsterdam was the centre of European development. It is well worth a visit in a year when much is celebrated in Amsterdam.

When in Amsterdam....enjoy!

The Golden Age Exhibition runs until the end of August 2013. Admission is 10 euro and 5 euro for children.