Vermeer Retrospective in Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Sold Out Within Days, Possibly More Tickets to Come

A highly anticipated large retrospective exhibition of the 17th-century master Johannes Vermeer is on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam from 10 February until 4 June 2023. In collaboration with Mauritshuis in The Hague, the exhibition brings together the masterpieces such as The Girl with a Pearl Earring (Mauritshuis, The Hague), The Geographer (Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main), Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid (The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin), Woman Holding a Balance (The National Gallery of Art, Washington DC), and the newly restored Girl Reading a Letter at the Open Window from the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden.

However, two days after the exhibition opened, the Rijksmuseum announced that “there are no more tickets available for Vermeer.” Promising that they are “working hard to ensure more people have the opportunity to see the exhibition,” the museum asked the public to keep an eye on the official website and social media.

Johannes Vermeer left behind a remarkably small number of paintings. This largest-ever and most comprehensive exhibition of Vermeer gathered in one place a total of 28 paintings from 14 museums and private collections from 7 countries, including Japan and the United States. The exhibition is set to break all records and present the latest research on the artist’s works, social position, living environment, and contacts with artists and fellow citizens.

The number of tickets is limited to ensure a pleasant experience. Still, Rijksmuseum is extending its opening hours and is promising to find a way for more people to enjoy the exhibition.