Feb
Exhibitions at the Print room
Photo: Hans Wilschut
Besides a large collection graphics, the Prints & Drawings department owns one of the world's most important collections drawings. It is comprised from around twenty thousand works from different countries and periods. Numerous schools from the Middle Ages to the present day are represented. Within the collection are works of masters like Pisanello, Dürer, Rembrandt, Watteau, and Cézanne. Prints and drawings are very vulnerable. Therefore most of the works are not on display in the permanent collection of the museum.
Exhibitions 2009-2010
Mercenaries and Turks, 5 December 2009 - 7 March 2010
Modern Art 20th century, March 2010 - June 2010
Print room and depot
The Print room and depot - designed by Marieke van Diemen - represent the classical concept of having the opportunity to view works on paper from close by. Optimum conditions have been created for concentration and an inquisitive mind. The combination of print room and depot in this new function has made the museum’s 80,000-odd works on paper more accessible. The world-famous collection of drawings and prints was brought together mainly through donations from prominent collectors. In the print room, the works on paper are presented in a series of wall-mounted showcases, tabletop showcases and other showcases, inspired by the classical way of presenting prints and drawings.
Digital depot
As a result of digital techniques, visitors can see the often small works in monumental proportions, or request works from the depot. These works are then presented on a special show table, after which they become part of the exhibition. That way, visitors contribute to the presentation of the works in this space.
Although the depot is not accessible to visitors, a 25-metre glass wall provides them with a view of the entire depot. The wealth of prints and drawings is kept in boxes and drawers. Because of their vulnerability, they can only be exhibited for short periods of time. That is why the depot has been designed in accordance with state of the art conservation conditions.
If you are interested to see a specific print or drawing, you can contact the department of Prints & Drawings and make an appointment to see this piece.