RKD Nederlands Instituut voor Kunstgeschiedenis

The knowledge institute of the visual arts of the Low Countries

The RKD — Netherlands Institute for Art History offers museums, academic community and the public a wealth of collections, knowledge and publications for extensive research and inspiration
 

About the RKD

CURRENT

News and recent developments

Social structures of seventeenth-century Brussels painters

News
New book publication Painters and Communities in Seventeenth-Century Brussels: A Social History of Art.
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painters and communities in seventeenth-century brussels header

herman de vries - publisher

News
New book publication herman de vries - publisher and exhibition on herman de vries at Kunstmuseum Den Haag.
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Hartmut Geerken, may bug fly! a paper sinking in the indian ocean, the eschenau summer press publications °48, 2001

Exhibition highlighting digitised sculptor's archives

News
On 10 October, the RKD opens the exhibition Memorials: Statues of liberation.
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Lucebert, Atelierfoto met Willem Reijers, ca. 1957, collectie RKD

COLLECTION

Dive into the RKD collection

Our collection includes the world's largest art history library, over 2.5 kilometres of archival material, many digital data, documentation and technical information on art

Archieven

Library

From general art literature, art lexicons, artists' books and preciosa to the large collection of auction catalogues.

Archives

You can view archive material at the RKD. Request an archive at least two days in advance.

Digital data

With RKD Research, you search seven databases containing millions of data.

START RESEARCH

Begin your research

Doing your own art history research? Start online with RKD Research, check out one of the other websites, or drop by our study room in The Hague. We are happy to help!

Onderzoek doen

Check out the various research platforms

Like Van Gogh Worldwide, Mondrian Papers and the Rembrandt Database.

Visit the RKD

Do research in our study room, take part in an event and view our exhibition.

Search the RKD Research databases

Get started right away and begin your research online!

KNOWLEGDE & PUBLICATIONS

Results of art historical research

As a knowledge institute, we work closely with museums, heritage institutions and universities. Besides a research role, the RKD serves a public function. Our staff contributes to publications and exhibitions
 

 

In the footsteps of Herman Saftleven: Utrecht's city rampart drawings

News
The latest RKD Study is dedicated to more than 175 drawings of Herman Saftleven (1609-1685).
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Herman Saftleven, De Utrechtse stadswal bij het Paardenveld, tussen 1660 en 1665, collectie Koninklijke Musea voor Schone Kunsten, Brussel

RKD Study dedicated to Cornelis Kruseman

News
On 25 June, the RKD Study Cornelis Kruseman (1797-1857): Earthly fame and heavenly ambition was published.
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Graflegging van Christus geschilderd door kunstenaar Cornelis Kruseman

RKD Study Frans Hals and his workshop available online

News
The complete catalogue raisonné of Frans Hals has been made available online.
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Frans Hals, Portrait of a man with a slouch hat, Kassel, Museumslandschaft Hessen Kassel, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, photo: Ute Brunzel
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Several times a year the RKD sends out a digital newsletter in both Dutch and English, in which we keep you posted on the latest news and inform you about our activities.