Visit The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis or The Mauritshuis, as it's Commonly Known in The Hague, the Netherlands

The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis, less formally know as The Mauritshuis, is situated in a 17th century palace built and owned by Count Johan Maurits. Maurits was the governor of a Dutch colony in Brazil from 1636 to 1644. It was in this time period that Count Maurits had this beautiful classicist example of Dutch Architecture built.

The well know architects Pieter Post and Jacob van Campen, considered the best architects of the time, built the magnificent building for Maurits. Jacob van Campen also created the Royal Palace in Dam Square in Amsterdam. Van Campen was also a painter. Two of his paintings are hung in The Mauritshuis itself.
The art collection which makes its home in The Mauritshuis, belongs to the Dutch state. In the 200 year history of the collection, it has increased in size from 200 to almost 800 paintings. It also has miniatures. The pieces include works by classical Dutch and Flemish painters.

There are some painted by artists like Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, Jan Steen, Johannes Vermeer, Peter Paul Reubens, Jacob van Ruisdael and Frans Hals, to name a few. The Mauritshuis is known for its collection from The Dutch Golden Age of paintings. It is a treasured place for tourists and Dutch natives to visit over and over again.

Included in the large list of paintings, is the very famous and most loved Vermeer painting, "The Girl with a Pearl Earring", known in Dutch as "Meisje met de Parel". This painting was featured in the 2003 movie, "Girl with a Pearl Earring", based on a book of fiction by author Tracy Chevalier. It delves into the life of Vermeer and the mystery behind the model for the lovely painting he created.

The very well known artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, more commonly known as Rembrandt, is represented in The Mauritshuis, with a number of paintings. These include "Bust of an Old Man with Turban", and the detailed and somewhat graphic "The Anatomy Lesson", which never fails to get a reaction from visiting children.

The paintings range in size from the very large and surprising "The Bull", by Paulus Potter, to the very small slice of daily life by Gerard ter Borch, portraying a mother combing the hair of her child, known as "Hunting for Lice". Although the title is somewhat odd, the tiny painting itself, evokes a sense of warmth and care between the mother and child.

With so many masterpieces both large and small, any person who appreciates the wonder of these paintings, will thoroughly enjoy being able to view the paintings close and in person here. Studying each piece for style and brush work, depth and history, makes the collection come to life. To a fan of fine art, there is nothing like seeing the originals firsthand.

This is a somewhat formal museum, which tends to keep people speaking in low voices and dignified observation. There are seats in many of the rooms. To sit quietly contemplating, amidst these marvellous pieces of art, is somehow both very humbling and uplifting at the same time. There are windows to look out at the views of the water and accompanying buildings.

The paintings are majestically and yet simply displayed in each room of the Mauritshuis. There are paintings on display in the Staircase Gallery. There are many rooms in this large home. Each one holds incredible surprises to view. Every room is full of wonderful paintings by some of the world's masters. You are able to view them close up. You can take your time looking at the ones that appeal to your own tastes and sensibilities the most.

The choice of this stately and architecturally interesting home, is the perfect setting for these formal masterpieces. They fit right in with the richly painted, dark paneled and ornately detailed building. Even the grand stairwells add to the feeling of awe, at being in such close proximity to artworks that have had such great affect and influence on the world of art and art appreciation.

There are guided tours available at The Mauritshuis and you can arrange for group excursions to the museum. There is a nice little gift shop, with a variety of items available for purchase, representing the various artworks in The Mauritshuis. It is open at various hours throughout the year. Check for specific hours of admittance. It is closed the Monday after Easter, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. There is a fee for admission.

The Mauritshuis is located at Korte Vijverberg 8, in The Hague.