The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer, one of the masterpieces of the Rijksmuseum, will be on display for six weeks from Friday in the museum that was previously called the Hermitage aan de Amstel. The Amsterdam museum announced this on Tuesday afternoon.
The exhibition around The Milkmaid is the first of five focus exhibitions in the museum complex on the Amstel under the title ‘Dutch Heritage Museum’. The museum will no longer use the name Hermitage for the time being, a spokesperson said. “It’s on pause.”
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the museum broke with Russia in early March and closed its doors. The collaboration with the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, the only partner since its opening in 2009, came to an end.
Also read this interview with Annabelle Birnie, director of Hermitage: ‘We have no choice but to cut ties with Russia’
in the series Dutch Heritage Amsterdam will always focus on one masterpiece from a leading Dutch collection. round The Milkmaidwhich will be on display until Sunday 15 May, will focus on a range of aspects about the painting: from technical details and Vermeer’s iconic use of color to music and historical backgrounds about the artist and his time.
Helping hand
Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits calls it “natural” to support a fellow museum that has run into problems due to the war. Director Annabelle Birnie of the former Hermitage aan de Amstel speaks of a generous gesture: “This was the helping hand we needed.” At the same time, Birnie is calling on other museums to follow the Rijksmuseum’s initiative.
What work after The Milkmaid will be on display will be announced a few days before the last day of the first focus exhibition. After the summer, the Hermitage used to come up with a new programming. The museum is now reflecting on its long-term future.