Museums in Amsterdam are a joy to vist to say the least. My first ever visit to a museum here was Anne Frank House, a few years back. I can still remember how touched I was and I shed tears at the end of the visit, reading the writings of her famous diary and on the wall in the annexe where she was hidden. Then comes Rembrant House where the story of his life revealed itself together with the many original exhibits which were once his own personal belongings.
Recently, I paid my homage to Rijkmuseum which is just a stone throw away from where I was put up. Without any expectation, I would think this museum is a history museum of Netherlands. I was quite right. There I paid about 8 Euro without the audio guide. I was quite amazed how globalised our world was back then, in the days of the Dutch East Indies. Trade flourised but the exchange of goods between the West and East does not always mean fairness was in place. Slavery was used and slowly colonisation took place.
I also saw some pieces by Rembrant himself. His works are so magnificent that the potraits he painted resemble photographs of modern times. The amount of details is amazing and he was truly an intelligent artist with great knowledge in using the light. Just like how a great writer is able to use words to record what she or he would like to say as accurately as possible.
I’m not sure whether there is a winning formula in the part of the musuem directors, where there is a sure-win structure to follow that will make the experience of the visitor, a memorable one. Just like a great movie, it must have the right moment of climax and the right moment to inject humour and drama. And I think Rijkmuseum did follow that winning structure. Or I wonder whether it is me. Maybe I have reached a state where museum visit is more of a highlight, more interesting than going to the familiar path of shopping and sight-seeing. I must be aging (of course, I am! ) It must be derived from my thirst for knowledge and to make some sense out of the places I visited.
