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| Travel, Amsterdam, Fashion,

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.

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In the Rijksmuseum garden with Marion Scheithauer, journalist for Maxi magazine. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.

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Pre-dinner drinks with Marion. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.

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Inside the newly-decorated building – its renovation lasted 10 years and costed about 375 ml Euro. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.

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Shhhhh….we are in the library. Bracelet by Swarovski. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.

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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.

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Oh My. This is all for me! Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.

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The Night Watch – simply a masterpiece. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.

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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.

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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.

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Back to Hotel de l’Europe – it has been a beautiful evening in great company. Photo courtesy of Stephan Gubler.

 

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