Michiel Van Musscher (1645 -1705). The Wealth of the Golden Age

It is the first exhibition of the work of Van Musscher. It is also the first exhibition to take place in the recently opened coach house of the museum, which makes it possible to view the collection family portraits in the canal house as well. At the end of the 17th century Van Musscher was a successful portraitist. Swedish architect Nicodemus Tessin, visiting the capital in 1687, deemed him the very best Amsterdam painter for small portraits. His portraits hung literally door to door in the Golden Bend of the Amsterdam Herengracht. Next to many Amsterdam regents he also portrayed Tsar Peter the Great. Van Musscher's portraits are painted in the tradition of Netscher and Van Mieris. His work is of an unequalled quality and shows a great richness in details. From the exuberant way the Dutch elite had themselves displayed the wealth of the Golden Age is amply highlighted. The exhibition of Michiel van Musscher shows not only his more famous paintings from Dutch collections and the museum itself, but also a significant number of paintings from private collections and international museums. The exhibition is a tribute to the work of Van Musscher and visualizes the latter days of the Dutch Golden Age.