Hello World!!
While I am sipping coffee this gusty morning in the Hague, I can’t stop thinking about yesterday. I had the most amazing experience at the Mauritshuis Museum in Den Haag. So I thought I should post about it and document this creative enriching experience.
Mauritshuis is the main museum or as the dutch like to call it “The Royal Cabinet of Paintings”. I’ll be royalty myself if only I can have half of these Invaluable paintings in my cabinet.
It’s a splendid museum that contrasts the entrance and the rest of the floors. With the first look, You feel like you are going into a palace, then a completely opposite entrance of Scandinavian interiors, and then you are transported into 18th century- larger-than-life opulent halls. 16 rooms over 3 floors to be precise. Brocade-clad walls, magnificent chandeliers, and coco-hued big wooden halls.
Now I’ll take you to paintings that took my heart and blew my mind and left me in awe of the artist.

“Girl with a Pearl Earring” was painted by Johannes Vermeer in 1665 and is his most famous one. As per the museum, it’s a ‘tronie’ i.e. the painting of an imaginary figure. Vermeer was the master of light. You can feel the softness of the girl’s face, how light is glimmering on her moist lips. You can only see half of her nose, but our mind does the trick of completing it, the same as the Pearl earring. It’s arguably the second most famous painting in the world after France’s The Mona Lisa.



“Old Woman and Boy with Candles” were painted by Peter Raul Rubens. This shows an old woman gazes ahead, shielding her eyes from the candlelight, while the boy behind her holds his candle, ready to be lit. This style is famous for its playfulness with light. Rubens did not make this painting to be sold; instead, he retained possession of it. This is my second favorite from the whole lot.


“A Boy Blowing Bubbles”, was painted by Caspar Netscher in 1670. This was such a tiny painting, which makes it more challenging. You have to look closely to see the delicate Bubble. One of my top 5 painting.

“The Bull” is such a grand Painting. One of the largest painting in the Mauritshuis. It leaves you spellbound. It was painted by Paulus Potter in 1647 and despite its large size, he paid a great attention to even smallest of details. Look at the white eye lashes of the sitting cow, glow of the Ram’s eyes and kind expression of shepherd. Loved it.

Painter “Gerard ter Borch” did this painting called “Woman Writing a Letter”, c.1655. and my eyes were glued to the carpet he painted along with its fringes. I might not able to even click with this detail that he painted.

I can almost feel the ivory satin & silk of her dress.








Paintings showing “The Adoration of the shepherds” for new born baby Jesus and the “Education of Virgin“

The Mauritshuis on a sunny day.
Tips I used before and during the visit,
- If you have a particular painting in mind for which you want to see, check its availability in the museum, on the website.
- You can also email them in advance to check for any info mail@mauritshuis.nl or check on https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/
- Book the ticket and slot in advance for the ease.
- The ticket is 19 euros for adults but free for children and students.
- Download their App, it has a free Audio Tour of the museum and gives you fun facts about paintings.
Hope you liked my thoughts on the paintings. I was talking to a fellow visitor about the details of the paintings and he said “are you a painter?” and it made my day. For the record I am not.
Have a Creative day!!!
45 responses to “Mauritshuis, Den Haag Netherland”
That looks like a dream day. Thanks for sharing it with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your time and reading , it was a great experience:)
LikeLike
Beautiful paintings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Teresa 🙂
LikeLike
Hello, thanks for following😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its my dream to see the girl with the pearl earring! Vermeer is my fave artist!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Anna for stopping by , I really hope that your see the Painting soon in real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for taking me on a visit to see these extraordinary paintings. Excellent photographs of them. 🧡
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂 , I’m happy that you liked the painting photos, they were great indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved everything about your post! The photo’s of the paintings were top.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Jessiana , happy that you liked it 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful painting collections. These pieces fascinate me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’ve captured the paintings beautifully
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂 , great that you liked them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great to see the paintings displayed is such splendour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Robert .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh what a lovely post and brought out wonderful memories for me. I used to live 15 minutes trem ride from the Mauritshuis and when I had troubles with my own paintings or wanted inspiration I could pop in any time I liked. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Michael , Great to read that you liked it and yes they are a great source of inspiration .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing these beautiful paintings. The details the artists wove into them is astounding. It’s amazing to me how vibrant and lovely they are even after all these many, many years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jai , Indeed it’s amazing and glad that you liked them!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did…very much!!🙂
LikeLike
Sometimes I wonder if humanity has no soul; and then I see the art they make and I promptly change my mind. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a thoughtful comment, thanks!!
LikeLike
Thank you for this way of taken us to wonderful paintings. I particularly like the painting Old Woman and Boy With Candles by Rubens for style, composition, colour and theme. It is now my favourite of his work and I can see why he kept it. 🤩😍💕✨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes these are great , I was shocked to see the minute details focused while painting , amazing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed.. you captured the highlight of fee painting really well. I stared at those paintings for a while to relish that special details. Thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Rishi , Gald that you liked it .. Working on a Pan Netherlands blog , hopefully will complete soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful art collection! These paintings fascinate me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for stopping by , they are really!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful painting collections. These pieces fascinate me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is certainly an amazing museum! I remember visiting briefly a few years ago but the Girl with the Pearl Earring really struck me. As you say, the light and colours of this piece are just perfect! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and this beautiful art!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very nice. Dank u wel… So you’re in Den Hag… Vermeer is in a category of his own. The Rubens was quite unusual for him… A good work of light.
Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful paintings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks luisa 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re so welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a day! So many famous paintings and painters. Love the picture with you and ” the girl”. Thank you for sharing all this beauty with us. Where there some restrictions with taking pictures in the museum?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for stopping by , glad that you liked it . No restrictions on pictures 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great collection. I suspect having only one of the photos would make you feel like royalty. It would me. 🙂 I particularly loved “The Bull,” although I am not familiar with Paulus Potter’s work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Curt , Glad that you liked it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So amazing. Den Haag has just been added to our travel list. Thanks for this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am always impressed by the body of work created by these amazing painters! Looks like I need to come to Den Haag next 😀..by the way, if you like, you can join my “Only in Museum” photo prompt that runs from Sunday to Saturday every week, as this is the kind of post that fits very well to that prompt. https://flightsofthesoul.wordpress.com/2023/02/05/only-in-museum-15/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for stopping by and glad you liked it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful paintings, I can see what you mean about the detail when I zoom in on the carpet tassles and the satin of the dress looks like a photo.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Alison for your time , you got it right .
LikeLiked by 2 people