Plaatsvinden

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is a Dutch national museum concentrating on arts, crafts and history, especially artworks from the Dutch Golden Age.

The Rijksmuseum’s website is offered in English and Dutch and the basic visiting information is also provided in German, French, Italian, and Spanish.  The website’s layout is divided into two main areas that allow for easy browsing. 

Upon first loading the webpage you are presented with the following options: Visitor Information, Collection, Exhibition, News and Publications. These basic options will probably provide most casual browsers with the essential information they’re looking for. In fact, there is a large amount of information to be found under these headings. 

The visiting information is detailed and provides travelers with the necessary facts for visiting the museum, such as ticket prices and the times the museum is open.  Searching the collection is only available in Dutch, although there is a feature that allows you to explore 1000 of the major exhibitions.

Upon first glance this seems to be all the information provided, but by scrolling down you are presented with more in-depth headings that link to more specific information.  The headings are as follows: Research, Education, Group and Tour Operators, Sponsoring, Press Room, Organisation, and Receptions (although Receptions is provided only in Dutch).

These headings typically cater to a specific crowd.  For example, while the “Press Room” can provide information to all who are curious, it is tailored for journalists. You can find museum press releases on current and future exhibitions, as well as archived information. Those interested in arranging for group tours, supporting the museum financially, or holding receptions at the museum will find all the information necessary in this second group of links.

The website also provides some more unique features such as the “Rijkswidget.” (Widgets are small computer programs that usually perform one single task.) The Rijkswidget installs on your computer (Windows and Mac versions are available) and makes it possible for you to get your daily dose of art objects from the collection. You can also learn more about each work and the painter.

Finally, there is a webshop for those interested in buying re-creations of the artwork found in the museum itself. 

The overall layout of the website is a feast for the senses, with full implementation of sound, movement and interactivity.  The link to the homepage also allows you to click any of the above listed main headings that are found on the homepage through a pulldown menu that appears when the mouse hovers over the home button. This is an excellent feature which keeps you from having to go to the homepage unnecessarily and wasting time.

Our verdict: highly recommended resource, 5/5