Judith Leyster
Dutch Golden Age painter (1609-1660)
ChasingART has been involved in virtual travel these past months as museums and art galleries have opened their doors and outreach to global visitors.
Today, I traveled to the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, located at the Museum Square in the borough Amsterdam South. Dedicated to Dutch arts and history, the Rijksmuseum was founded in The Hague on November 19, 1798, but was moved to Amsterdam in 1808.
The Women of the Rijksmuseum
Exciting things are happening at the Rijksmuseum! The Women of the Rijksmuseum project is underway, focused on exploring the role played by women artists in Dutch history. This ambitious project will run from 2021 to 2024, bringing together a working group from across the museum to gain a deeper understanding of their collection.
“How is the part played by women in Dutch history represented in the Rijksmuseum collection? This is the overarching question explored by the research programme and its related activities.”
Rijksmuseum
Judith Jans Leyster, 1609 to 1660, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, whose work included genre works, portraits and still lifes. Highly respected during her lifetime, she fell into obscurity after her death. Her entire creative output was attributed to Frans Hals or to her husband, Jan Miense Molenaer. But time has a way to bringing truth to the surface and the regrettable error is attribution has been rectified. We now recognize Judith Leyster for her brilliant artistic abilities.
ChasingART 
A most interesting post, Rebecca. I was supposed to be going to this museum on 21 May but, sadly, Terence can’t get a visa in time. It takes 2 months now – crazy!
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I am so sorry to hear this news, Robbie! Travel has become very much more difficult these past months. The Rijksmuseum has an amazing website and YouTube channel. It isn’t the same as being there ‘in person’ but a virtual visit is the next best thing!
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Agreed 😊
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I have enjoyed this article very much, How I would so love to visit this place!!! The paintings you have included are outstanding and I am glad that Judith, after the passage of years, was declared as the true artist.. I like her choice of colors and their combination in each of the paintings. Unfortunately, in past times, women did not get their full recognition. Thank you for introducing the Ruksmuseum (I am not trying to say that) The move to the new location was excellent, wise and a huge improvement! Thank you for including the other articles!
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Once again, I’ve learned something new from you, Rebecca! The video was a fascinating piece of art history.
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Rebecca, wonderful to hear about this Rijksmuseum exhibit and learn more about Judith Leyster, yet another brilliant woman artist who didn’t get her due for many years. I have very fond memories of visiting the Rijksmuseum many years ago.
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I never made it to the Rijksmuseum when we were in Amsterdam. How was that possible?!!!! I am so glad that you did. I have been enjoying this series – there is more to come. Can you imagine going back into all of Rijks collection and finding art that were incorrectly attributed to a man rather than a woman. What a treasure hunt!
Over the past months, art galleries and museums have opened their virtual doors and welcomed us to travel across the miles in a few seconds. We have a front row seat which includes meeting up with curators and experts. Technology is overcoming barriers of time and location. As Frances said to me a couple of days ago, I never imagined that I would be participating in a Zoom call.
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What a splendid project. It was a pleasure to watch the short video.
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Thank you so much for this comment Mandy! Sorry I am so late in responding. Sending hugs and love!
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AMAZING!!!
A celebration of art and women. Thank you for bringing this to me, and to others!
BIG HUGS to you, Rebecca!
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I am so glad that you joined me at the Rijksmuseum. This is a wonderful series that I have been looking into. I especially appreciate the short videos that open the doors to further exploration. BIG HUGS coming back your way, Resa!!
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{{{HUGS}}}
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What an incredible artist, Rebecca.
This has taken me back to 2017/18 when we visited the Art Gallery of NSW to enjoy the masterpieces on loan from the Rijksmuseum collection – Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Art of the 17th century. To say I thoroughly enjoyed the day would be an understatement. Such brilliant works! We now have a few ‘fridge magnets’ – Rembrandt self portrait; Vemeer’s Woman Reading, and Jan Davidsz de Heem’s Still Life with Flowers.
In the video above, the second Judith Leyster painting showcased is shown in the advertisement for the exhibition of 2017/18 in Sydney. I don’t recall seeing the painting. I do wish I’d known that a woman artist was on show!
Enough, though, to know that today her paintings have been given the rich credit they deserve.
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What a wonderful exhibition to have experienced, Carolyn. It would be interesting to know how museum prepare these precious paintings for shipping from art gallery to another art gallery – without damaging the paintings. I can only imagine how much care goes into the packaging. The Rijksmuseum has wonderful short videos that highlight their collection. Over the past months, art galleries and museums have opened their doors to virtual visitors. I am looking forward to following this series. I agree wholeheartedly – it is wonderful to know that Judith Leyster’s paintings have been given the rich credit they deserve.
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I love this museum and love your selections.
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I am delighted that we met up at the Rijksmuseum, Cindy. I am enjoying virtual travel these days. Sending hugs!
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How nice of Rijksmuseum to add her [and obviously other women painters]. Thank you for this, Rebecca. Celebrating with you!
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