Rijksmuseum Unveils Ambitious Sculpture Garden Project
The Rijksmuseum, one of the foremost cultural institutions in the Netherlands, has announced an exciting new venture that promises to redefine its landscape and expand the horizons of its art collections. With plans to develop a permanent sculpture garden costing approximately .5 million, this initiative marks a pivotal move toward integrating Modern and contemporary art into the repertoire of a museum famed primarily for its Dutch Golden Age masterpieces. This announcement comes just two months after the museum unveiled another significant expansion project, reflecting its unwavering commitment to showcasing a broader spectrum of art from its expansive holdings, of which only a fraction is currently accessible to the public.
The proposed sculpture garden will transform several areas of the museum grounds that have historically hosted temporary exhibitions. The ambitious project is made possible through a groundbreaking donation of €60 million (around million) from the Don Quixote Foundation. This generous contribution will facilitate a unique fusion of long-term sculpture loans and pieces from the Rijksmuseum’s extensive collection, thereby enriching the encounter visitors will have with modern artistic expressions.
Within this historic institution, visitors can already admire iconic works, including Rembrandt’s celebrated The Night Watch and many pieces by Johannes Vermeer. Attracting an impressive 2.5 million visitors in 2024, the Rijksmuseum solidifies its position as one of Europe’s most frequented artistic destinations. The envisioned sculpture garden will not only enhance the visitor experience but also feature works by renowned artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, and Henry Moore. Moreover, pieces by contemporary talent like American post-minimalist Roni Horn, currently spotlighted in a major exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, will be included as well.
Taco Dibbits, the General Director of the Rijksmuseum, remarked that the garden represents a long-overdue acknowledgment of Modern sculpture, granting it a “visibility it deserves.” He elaborated on the significance of this expansion, describing it as an “unprecedented enhancement” of the museum’s 20th-century art collection. This statement underscores a shift within the museum toward a more inclusive representation of art history that acknowledges both historical and contemporary narratives.
The architectural direction of this garden is spearheaded by the acclaimed British firm Foster + Partners, known for their transformative designs in museum architecture, including the British Museum’s Great Court and the recently inaugurated Zayed National Museum in Abu Dhabi. Alongside the garden, three existing pavilions, built in the early 20th-century Amsterdam School style, will be repurposed into exhibition venues, further enhancing the museum’s capability to display diverse artistic expressions.
Complementing the artistic vision, the landscape design will be managed by Belgian architect Piet Blanckaert, acclaimed for his work on the Flanders Fields Memorial Garden near Buckingham Palace. His task will not only be to curate a space for the sculptures but also to enrich the biodiversity of this urban park, allowing for the incorporation of 22 mature trees and a vibrant assortment of flowers and plants. This ecologically mindful approach aims to create a beneficial habitat alongside the cultural experience, demonstrating a commitment to environmental stewardship intertwined with artistic appreciation.
Though the garden is slated for launch later this year, it is pertinent to note that planning permissions from the local council are still pending, highlighting the complexities often involved in large-scale urban projects.
The Don Quixote Foundation, the largest benefactor of the Rijksmuseum, was established by local billionaire Rolly van Rappard. Of the contributions, €10 million (.5 million) is earmarked specifically for the sculpture garden, while the remainder will support various other museum initiatives. Additionally, the foundation plans to provide a range of sculptures on long-term loan, enriching the museum’s offerings significantly.
The sculpture garden is part of a broader strategy to expand the Rijksmuseum’s reach and artistic presence across the Netherlands. In December, the museum revealed plans for a new satellite location in Eindhoven, expected to cover 3,500 square meters and built over the next six to eight years with backing from the Eindhoven city council and the nearby semiconductor equipment giant, ASML.
The initiatives undertaken by the Rijksmuseum exemplify a larger trend in museums worldwide: the drive to broaden their collections’ scope, embrace contemporary art, and offer immersive experiences that resonate with the public. As the museum prepares for these exciting changes, art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike can anticipate enriching cultural experiences that elevate the profound legacy of art in modern society.
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