Rembrandt House Museum, Amsterdam Overview

The Rembrandt House Museum on the Jewish Broad Street (Jodenbreestraat) in Amsterdam is a one of a kind art museum refurbished in the space of Rembrandt’s past home. It includes his work - etchings, drawings, and items collection.

It is a representation of the painter’s 17th Century home where he lived for two decades before going bankrupt in 1656. The house is linked to a modern building which displays Rembrandt’s works.
Originally the home of Rembrandt, Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House Museum) is a historic art museum in Jodenbreestraat, Amsterdam where the painter spent his successful years. It is, at present a museum dedicated to Rembrandt’s life and his work and has been restored back to its 17th century style to let the visitors catch a glimpse of his life back in those days.

Rembrandt lived and did most of his work while at this house, primarily as a portrait artist, for almost two decades before he went bankrupt. It was only hundreds of years later that the significance of the Rembrandt house was acknowledged and his home turned into the present day museum, along with the addition of a new building adjacent to it. It is in this new addition to the house that the work of Rembrandt is on display, with around 260 etchings, etching plates and drawings. ‘The Night Watch’ which is probably Rembrandt’s most famous work, was painted by him while he stayed in this house.

Besides Rembrandt’s works, the museum also features exhibitions, presentations, events and organizes workshops. Along with this, the techniques used by the painter for creating his work are also explored here.

History and Architecture

Rembrandt witnessed not just success but also tragedy as his wife and three children passed away while they were living in this house. He later went bankrupt and the house was auctioned. It was only in the 20th century that measures were taken to restore and renovate this dilapidated place and soon the restoration of the house began. On its completion in 1911, Queen Wilhelmina opened the museum and steadily temporary exhibitions began here in definite periods. However another restoration plan was set in motion to build a new building adjacent to the Rembrandt house which was met with appreciation as well as criticism. This project was completed in 1999 and the new building now hosts the works of Rembrandt while the house is dedicated and restored to the original possible state Rembrandt left it in.

How To Reach Rembrandt House Museum

Metro: All the lines from and to CS Amsterdam, Nieuwmarkt Station, Hoogstraat exit.

Train: You can take the train to the Amsterdam Central Station which is about a 15 minute walk from the museum

Car: If you plan on taking a car the Waterlooplein, Muziektheater/Stadhuis or Valkenburgerstraat car parks are near the museum.