The Mauritshuis is a beautiful museum in The Hague, Netherlands, that showcases the best of Dutch painting from the age of Rembrandt and Vermeer. It was built as a home for John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, who was the governor of Dutch Brazil in the 17th century. The museum has a collection of 854 paintings, including masterpieces such as Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, and The Goldfinch by Fabritius.
If you want to visit the Mauritshuis, you need to buy a ticket online in advance. The ticket costs 16 euros for adults and 5 euros for children and students.
The Mauritshuis is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10 am to 6 pm. On Thursdays, the museum is open until 8 pm. The museum is closed on January 1st, April 27th, and December 25th.
The Mauritshuis is located at Plein 29, next to the Binnenhof and the Hofvijver pond. You can easily reach the museum by public transport, bike, or car. There are several tram and bus stops nearby, as well as bike parking facilities. If you come by car, you can park at the Pleingarage or the Malieveldgarage.
Some tips for your visit are:
- You can download the free Mauritshuis app on your smartphone or tablet to enjoy an audio guide and interactive features.
- You can also rent an audio guide at the museum for 3.50 euros.
- You can join a guided tour or a workshop for an extra fee. Check the website for the schedule and availability.
- You can enjoy a coffee or a snack at the Brasserie Mauritshuis or the Museum Café.
- You can buy souvenirs and books at the Museum Shop.
Some prohibitions for your visit are:
- You cannot take photos or videos inside the museum.
- You cannot touch the paintings or other objects on display.
- You cannot bring large bags, backpacks, umbrellas, or coats into the museum. You can store them in the cloakroom or lockers for free.
- You cannot eat or drink inside the museum.
Some highlights of what to see are:
- Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer: This is one of the most famous paintings in the world, depicting a young woman with a turban and a pearl earring. It is also known as the Mona Lisa of the North.
- The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt van Rijn: This is a group portrait of a public dissection of a corpse by a renowned surgeon in 1632. It shows Rembrandt’s skill in capturing expressions and light effects.
- The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius: This is a small but exquisite painting of a pet bird chained to a perch. It is one of the few surviving works by Fabritius, who died in a gunpowder explosion in 1654.
