New York Historical: Old Masters, New Amsterdam

This first-of-its-kind exhibition uses the paintings of Rembrandt and his contemporaries to help us envision life in the little Dutch settlement that would become New York.

Exactly 400 years ago the Dutch founded the city of New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island. In Europe at that same time they were revolutionizing art, with Rembrandt and his contemporaries turning a keen eye to the world around them. This first-of-its-kind exhibition uses their paintings to help us envision life in the little Dutch settlement that would become New York.

With works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals, and Jan Steen, many of them never before shown in New York, the exhibition will dazzle and delight viewers. Let the Old Masters introduce you to New Amsterdam.

Curated by Russell Shorto, Director of the New Amsterdam Project at The New York Historical, and Arthur K. Wheelock Jr., Senior Advisor to The Leiden Collection.