The Rijksakademie collections comprise, among other things, books and periodicals in the library, artists’ documentation, and the historical and contemporary art collections. Together, these form an ensemble of everything that has been collected since the 18th century to the present day in three authoritative Amsterdam institutes: the Stadsteekenacademie (circa 1718-1820), the Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten (1820-1870) and the Rijksakademie commencing in 1870.

Old textbooks and prints, used to instruct artists in the past, have been well preserved and are accessible and, together with the study sketches of students and example drawings of lecturers of the day, they tell a fascinating story. Residents now working at the Rijksakademie enrich the collections with their work and documentation. The present-day library closely follows national and international development in the visual arts and it advises residents about purchasing new books and periodicals.

The collections connect knowledge and expertise about art, artists and artistic calling of long ago with those of today and they are at the disposal of artists, researchers, higher education and art academy students, and other interested parties. They are welcome to read, draw inspiration, study and do research in the library. The art collections can be visited and art works can be loaned to museums and other institutions for exhibitions and study purposes for short or longer periods of time.

Online catalogue