Amsterdam - Day 2 - Rijks Museum

They took our tour group picture today in front of the iAmsterdam logo... it came out quite nicely..

Insight Vacation tour pic 2018

They have been a lovely group of people, with no real problems among us all.... everyone was a delight to talk to. Tonight we had a our celebration dinner to finish off and it was lovely... But more of that later..

Had a bit of a sleep-in this morning... the optional extra was to go to the flower auction at 6.30am.... hmmm... I'm not sure that I like flowers that much to get up so early. I had seen a video of this on the Rick Steves show, so I was happy to pass. Didn't wake up until my alarm went off at 7.45am.... what luxury!!!

So, for all you unbelievers... I was immersed in kultcha this morning... we all went to the Rijks museum.... And I loved it!!!

Rijks Museum Amsterdam

We had a lovely guide who was an art historian take us around the museum. (Thinking of you Marian Morris!!) And she just knew so much stuff... I took heaps of pics, but I'm not sure that I will be able to tell you what she told us.... too much information..

The most important painting here was "the Night Watch"  by Rembrandt

Now, I know some of my illustrious friends will already know this, but for the rest of us plebs, here's what wikipedia says...

The painting is famous for three things: its colossal size (363 cm × 437 cm (11.91 ft × 14.34 ft)), the dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism) and the perception of motion in what would have traditionally been a static military group portrait. The painting was completed in 1642, at the peak of the Dutch Golden Age. It depicts the eponymous company moving out, led by Captain Frans Banning Cocq (dressed in black, with a red sash) and his lieutenant, Willem van Ruytenburch (dressed in yellow, with a white sash). With effective use of sunlight and shade, Rembrandt leads the eye to the three most important characters among the crowd: the two gentlemen in the centre (from whom the painting gets its original title), and the woman in the centre-left background carrying a chicken. Behind them, the company's colours are carried by the ensign, Jan Visscher Cornelissen. The figures are almost life-size.

Here's another by Rembrandt with the explanation below..

The wardens of the Amsterdam Drapers

Explanation of above

This is The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer

The Milkmaid

Explanation of above

One more... Portrait of a girl dressed in blue

Portrait of  a girl dressed in blue

Explanation of above

I took a heap of pics, but it would probably be too long to include them all. I actually loved the tour and our guide who accompanied us was  fantastic.

I think I have the potential to love art.... but only if I understand it.... not  too good on the modern abstract stuff, but love the works of the masters.

We had until 1.30 at the Museum and that included lunchtime, so I managed to find the local supermarket and and buy a chicken wrap. It was once again an absolutely beautiful day outside and everyone was out sitting in the  sun.

After lunch we returned to the hotel for a short break, because we had a busy afternoon ahead...


Might make a new post for the afternoon, otherwise it all gets too long....