Press Release, February 2, 2006

Rembrandt's 400th Birthday Celebrations
A Spotlight on Rembrandt Events Outside the Museums

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of Rembrandt, Dutch master painter of the 17th century. To commemorate this Dutch master, several Rembrandt themed events and exhibitions have been set up throughout the year, in addition to the art-related events and exhibitions at Dutch museums.

More Information
For more information and visual material please contact Bianca Helderman at the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions, 212-370-7360 ext. 27, bhelderman@holland.com

Rembrandt in a City of Ice
From February 16 until May 7, 2006 miniature city Madurodam will be hosting a spectacular exhibition of ice sculptures: 'Magic Ice Madurodam'. A team of twenty Chinese artists will create enormous ice sculptures out of 2,000 blocks of ice. In the exhibition hall A full-scale Night Watch will be sculpted from ice within the framework of Rembrandt's 400th year of birth. A city of ice will also arise with characteristic Chinese and Dutch buildings such as the Parliament buildings in The Hague.

Rembrandt Flourishes at Keukenhof Gardens
During Keukenhof's opening season from March 23 to May 19, 2006 it will commemorate this great painter of the Dutch Golden Age in various ways. For example, this year the opening of the park will focus on Rembrandt, and the Keukenhof float taking part in the flower parade will be completely devoted to this theme. In addition, Keukenhof will also be organizing several other 'Rembrandtesque' activities.

Rembrandt tulips
'Rembrandt tulips' have been planted in several places in the park. These double early tulips owe their name to the striped flowers which were particularly popular during the period of tulip speculation - from 1620 to 1637. Many Golden Age painters used these tulips in their paintings.

Rembrandt Self Portrait
In addition, children from Leiden - in conjunction with actors dressed like contemporaries of Rembrandt and the assistance of Keukenhof gardeners - have put the finishing touches to Rembrandt's self-portrait at Keukenhof. This work of art is no less than 33 x 46 feet in size and is made up of 60,000 bulbs. This very special Rembrandt will be in full flower from mid-April onwards.

Rembrandt in Leiden and in Amsterdam
At the opening of Keukenhof a new bulb will be presented; five hundred bulbs of this new sort are to be planted beneath Rembrandt's bust in Leiden. Elsewhere in Leiden, near the windmill called De Valk, a self-portrait of Rembrandt has been planted, which will bloom this spring. In Amsterdam six thousand Rembrandt tulips have been planted on Rembrandt Square around the statue of Rembrandt; this spring they will provide the square with cheerful colors.

In Rembrandt's footsteps
Learn to paint like Rembrandt. In the coming season Keukenhof will hold painting workshops led by an artist. Participants can draw inspiration from the bulbs and flowers at Keukenhof.

Rembrandt the Musical
On July 15, 2006, Rembrandt the Musical will open at the fully renovated Royal Carré Theater in Amsterdam. In the museum, his paintings bring you closer to his work, but in Rembrandt the Musical, you step into the master's life. The theater performance will shed a new and surprising light on Rembrandt's life, much of which is unknown to the general public. The production concentrates on the person Rembrandt, 'the master of light' whose life had very shady sides to it and took many dramatic turns. Royal Carré Theater, July 15, 2006 (opening) to February 2007.

Rembrandt Walk in Leiden and Amsterdam
Take a walk through Rembrandt's native town, Leiden, where he spent the first 25 years of his life. The walking route takes you past all authentic Rembrandt locations, like the picturesque Weddesteeg square where he was born, and the Latin School which he attended, it will give you an idea of life during Holland's Golden Age.

The Rembrandt tour in Amsterdam will take you past the Rembrandt House Museum, where he lived and worked for many years. It also takes you along the churches where his wife and children were buried, along De Waag (the Weigh House) where he painted Dr. Tulp's Anatomic Lesson, and other historic places.

Both walking tours are available at the local VVV offices (Tourist Information Boards).