The Rembrandt House Museum

Rembrandt van Rijn: without a doubt, one of the most gifted and remarkable painters to come out of the Golden Age. Born in Leiden, he moved to Amsterdam in 1631. In 1639 – the same year that he painted his famous The Night Watch – he bought a house on the Breestraat. The house still stands on what is now known as the Jodenbreestraat and has been open to the public as a museum since 1911.

First opened as a gallery for Rembrandt’s prints, the Rembrandt House is now a museum dedicated to the life of the painter. Careful research and attention to documentation, inventories and sketches have been observed to recreate Rembrandt’s home as it was when he occupied it.

The audio-guided tour begins in the kitchen – the hub of the house – located on the basement floor. During Rembrandt’s time, visitors would have been welcomed in the Entrance Hall, which is the next stop on the tour, and led to Rembrandt’s art shop where he would show his works as well as those of his students to potential buyers. A side room where Rembrandt would have worked on draught-ing and etching is also part of the tour. Here, the etching process is displayed as well as an oak printing press.

During the 17th century, living and sleeping spaces were often combined into one room – the Salon – and was typically the finest room in the house. Rembrandt’s Salon, which is also part of the tour, is no different. It is in his studio, however, where visitors truly feel the artist’s presence. His easel, desk, and paint table all stand in their proper place based on Rembrandt’s own drawings of his studio. On the same floor is his astonishing collection of art and rare objects that he often used in his paintings.

The rest of the house is devoted to an exhibit for copies and prints of Rembrandt’s work in addition to that of other artists. None of Rembrandt’s originals are housed in this museum. Other facilities include a coat-check, library, gift shop, and auditorium. The Rembrandt House is wheelchair accessible.

Located at Jodenbreestraat 4 in Amsterdam, the museum is open Monday-Sunday from 10 am – 5 pm. Audio tours are included in the ticket price. Guided tours are also available for groups of 15 persons or more. Etching and paint preparation demonstrations are given daily. Tickets are €9 for adults and €2.50 for children 6-17 years of age.

To get to the museum, you can take the metro or tram. More information can be found on the Rembrandt House Museum website.