Magical Private Dinner At The Rijksmuseum
Beatrice Lessi
Why the Rijksmuseum
If you go to Amsterdam and have time for one museum only, make it the Rijksmuseum. In 2013, after a ten-year renovation which cost 375 million Euros, the museum has been reopened by Queen Beatrix (quite a good name for a Queen, don’t you think?). It was the most visited museum in 2013 and 2014 in the Netherlands. The gorgeous garden is already worth a visit and offers regular exhibitions. I enjoyed drinks and live music (followed by a Golden Age Beauty tour and a spectacular dinner) in light of the Philips Beauty Summit. However, the of the museum wasinside a surprise to me.
In the Rijksmuseum garden with Marion Scheithauer, journalist for Maxi magazine. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
Pre-dinner drinks with Marion. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
Inside the newly-decorated building – its renovation lasted 10 years and costed about 375 ml Euro. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
Shhhhh….we are in the library. Bracelet by Swarovski. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
The library. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
My Absolute Highlight
I didn’t know that the Rijksmuseum offers the possibility of having a private party in front of its works of art. Yes, that’s right: for an entire evening you can sit near an absolute masterpiece and enjoy your dinner, talk, laugh, forget security issues and the world outside. I had the privilege to sit right in front of The Night Watch by Rembrandt – and admired it very much so.
Its light is magical, the figures are nearly human size – Rembrandt manages to indulge someone in an illusion that the characters jump off the canvas and into real space – the scene is powerful.
I also left the dinner for a couple of times to take pictures and explore more half deserted rooms (the Museum was open just for us) and felt like a kid in the candy shop. An incredible experience.
Oh My. This is all for me! Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
The Night Watch – simply a masterpiece. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
I happened to sit at the absolutely best table – I was in awe and kept asking for photos. Thank you Stephan! Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
President Obama was sitting here – this painting represents the most powerful men of the Golden Age. It suits me too! . Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
Back to Hotel de l’Europe – it has been a beautiful evening in great company. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.
