The building was originally constructed as a private residence for Count John Maurice of Nassau-Siegen, the governor of Dutch Brazil.
The collection became a public museum in 1822 after King William I donated a substantial collection of paintings to the state.
The museum uses a sophisticated climate control system concealed within the historic architecture to protect sensitive oil-on-panel works.
The signature painting 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' was purchased by a collector for only two guilders in 1881 due to its poor condition at the time.
The 'Mauritshuis' name translates literally to 'Maurice House'.
The collection was evacuated and stored in a bunker during World War II for protection.
A major underground renovation in 2014 connected the historic mansion to a neighboring building via a modern foyer.
The museum floorboards are intentionally kept original where possible to maintain the 17th-century acoustic environment.
Some of the displayed frames are original period pieces, some dating back to the 1600s.
The Mauritshuis is a world-renowned art museum located in a 17th-century neoclassical Dutch mansion formerly owned by Count John Maurice of Nassau. It houses the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, featuring a collection of approximately 800 works from the Dutch and Flemish Golden Age. The museum is renowned for its intimacy, offering a focused viewing experience of high-caliber masterpieces rather than a vast, encyclopedic collection. It serves as the permanent home to Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. The collection also includes significant works by Rembrandt van Rijn, including his famous The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. The museum building itself is an architectural monument, showcasing the symmetry and restraint of Dutch classicist design. Visitors traverse grand rooms with authentic historical interiors, silk wall coverings, and crystal chandeliers. It provides a specialized perspective on 17th-century social history through the lens of elite art patronage. The museum operates under a state-mandated mandate to preserve its collection for public access.
The view of the museum exterior across the Hofvijver pond reflecting in the water.
Download the digital museum guide app before arrival to access expert commentary on specific paintings.
Focus on the 'highlights' floor plan provided at the entrance to manage time efficiently.
Visit the underground foyer connecting the two buildings to see the contemporary architectural contrast.
Do not attempt to see every painting in one visit; the high density of masterworks causes sensory fatigue.
Closed on Mondays; open on public holidays except January 1st.
Photography without flash is permitted; do not touch the frames or canvases; large bags must be stored in provided lockers.
