To all art lovers, we’ve gathered the best art exhibitions in Amsterdam to visit over the next few months. From Dutch masters to Robbie Williams or historical underwear, these are spectacular exhibits you absolutely need to see for yourself.
Our Favorite Art Exhibitions To See In Amsterdam This Spring
1. Face to Face: The People Behind Mummy Portraits
This is the first exhibition of ancient Egyptian mummy portraits in the Netherlands, and it is being held at Allard Pierson. 38 incredible portraits from all over the world were gathered for this exhibit, bringing visitors face to face with individuals who were immortalized almost 2000 years ago. These portraits, also known as the Fayum portraits, were created during the Roman period in Egypt. The penetrating gaze and incredible realism of the depictions will definitely fascinate you. A must see!
🎟️Until May 20, 2024
📍Allard Pierson: Oude Turfmarkt 127, 1012 GC Amsterdam
2. Marina Abramović
Immerse yourself in the world of the legendary Marina Abramović, in the largest overview ever in the Netherlands. This exhibition can be seen in Stedelijk Museum – Museum of Modern Art and shows over 60 key works spanning over five decades that trace the development of the prolific oeuvre of this pioneer or performance art. From her early work, created in former Yugoslavia and Amsterdam, to her more recent creations.
🎟️Until July 14, 2024
📍Stedelijk Museum – Museum of Modern Art: Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
3. Frans Hals at the Rijksmuseum
The Philips Wing of the Rijksmuseum welcomes fifty of the best works by Dutch master Frans Hals, many on loan from top international collections. Hal is regarded as one of the most innovative and talented artists of the 17th century. He is best known for portraits of the citizens of Haarlem, to which he brought incredible vitality, characterization, and sense of animation. From stately regents to children, he made them live and breathe on the canvas. It’s also the first time that Hal’s works are on display in Amsterdam, and you must not miss this incredible opportunity!
🎟️Until June 9, 2024
📍Rijksmuseum: Museumstraat, 1071 XX Amsterdam
4. Plastic Crush
The old dream that plastic would improve the world turned into fear of a world awash in plastic waste. The exhibition Plastic Crush shows the different ways in which our lives have been permeated by Plastic. Fake, junk, trash, cheap, clean, counterfeit, polluting, fantastic, dream, colorful, smooth, transparent, light, mass-produced – all of it. On the one hand, our lives have become easier; on the other, plastic contributes to global inequality. This exhibition uses universal and local stories, objects from the collection, contemporary art, and plastic icons to offer a broader perspective.
🎟️Until April 21 2024
📍Wereldmuseum: Linnaeusstraat 2, 1092 CK, Amsterdam
5. World Press Photo
Yes, it’s that time of the year! The winning images from the world’s largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest begin their world tour at the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam on April 19th. From more than 61,000 entries from 3,851 photographers from 130 countries, the independent jury has selected the best and most important… Don’t miss it!
🎟️From April 19 to July 14, 2024
📍De Nieuwe Kerk: Dam Square, 1012 JS Amsterdam
6. Julius Caesar: I came, I met my doom
This is the first exhibition of the museum as H’ART (former Hermitage Amsterdam). It welcomes the visitors to experience Julius Caesar’s famous rise from ordinary Roman to lauded general, all the way to his infamous downfall and murder. You will journey through a collection of almost 150 historical artefacts that will make you feel as if you were right there – in Ancient Rome.
🎟️Until May 20, 2024
📍H’ART Museum (former Hermitage): Amstel 51, 1018 DR Amsterdam
7. Robbie Williams: Pride and Self-Prejudice
This exhibition shows Robbie Williams’ collection of artworks on mental health. Through candid, caricature forms, the artist sends a wave of relief through our collective consciousness. “The things that destroyed me also made me successful”, said Williams, emphasizing the dual aspect that personal demons can have on an artist’s creative process. A very interesting exhibition on a subject of capital importance.
🎟️Until July 8, 2024
📍Moco: Honthorststraat 20, 1071 DE Amsterdam
8. Matthew Wong l Vincent van Gogh: Painting as a Last Resort
Chinese-Canadian artist Matthew Wong (1984-2019) was greatly inspired by Vincent van Gogh. This exhibition is the first retrospective of his work in Europe and invites the visitors to explore the artistic and personal connection between Wong and Van Gogh. Both artists had a lengthy search to find their calling in life, which ultimately proved to be painting. Wong even saw it as his ‘last resort’. But even though there are many similarities between them, each of these two artists created a highly personal and individual work. A brilliant retrospective.
🎟️Until September 1, 2024
📍Van Gogh Museum: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
9. Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2024
This is a must-see for all architecture lovers. Every year, two juries – one professional and the other one public – recognize a design as the most inspiring building in Amsterdam. In this exhibition, Arcam highlights all ten nominations for the Amsterdam Architecture Prize 2024. You will be able to get acquainted with the projects and learn more about the prize.
🎟️Until June 20, 2024
📍Arcam Architecture Center Amsterdam: Prins Hendrikkade 600, 1011 VX Amsterdam
10. Under/Wear
From 17th century functional underwear to 19th century luxury lingerie, this exhibition will take you on a very entertaining journey. Rijksmuseum Special Collections displays a collection of underwear trends between 1640 and 1940, from silky undergarments, crinoline and corsets to mass production techniques. It is very interesting to see this unexpected evolution!
🎟️Until June 16, 2024
📍Rijksmuseum: Museumstraat, 1071 XX Amsterdam
Cover image: © www.stedelijk.nl / Marina Abramović