Mauritshuis
Ideal: Ideal for art, Vermeer, calm museum visits, and The Hague trips.
This 17th-century mansion was built for Johan Maurits, Dutch governor of Brazil; the museum now clearly states in exhibition texts that the building was financed with money from sugar and slave trade. The collection has around 800 works but few galleries, so two hours is enough for a relaxed visit. Vermeer's c. 1665 Girl with a Pearl Earring is not a portrait but a period 'tronie' — a character study; the model is unknown. Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp and Fabritius's The Goldfinch are here too.
Quick facts
- Built
- 1822
- Opened
- 1822
- Architect
- Jacob van Campen
- Annual visitors
- 500,000
Facts from Wikidata, photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Did you know?
Is Girl with a Pearl Earring a portrait?
No — it is not of a specific person but a "tronie", a study of a type or expression. The girl's identity is unknown and she probably never existed.
Is the earring really a pearl?
Probably not. It is far larger than known natural pearls and the highlights suggest polished glass or a tin-coated surface; technical study supports the idea of a glass imitation.
What was the building originally?
It was built in the 17th century as a private residence for Johan Maurits. Its cost came largely from colonial activity in Brazil, a history the museum now addresses openly in its displays.
Why go?
- To see masters like Vermeer and Rembrandt in a calmer setting
- To add a strong art stop to a The Hague route
- For Dutch Golden Age art in a compact but impressive collection
Travel tip
The museum is not huge — it fits easily into the same day as The Hague center and Binnenhof.
