Skip to main content

Women of the Rijksmuseum

Women in the spotlight

Curious about the important women represented in the Rijksmuseum? Discover a selection of stories about women artists, historical figures, and gender perspectives on our collection.

Ask Katy Hessel: Judith Leyster

01:38 - Was her humour exceptional, or exactly of its time?

Ask Katy Hessel: Rachel Ruysch

01:31 - These flowers bloom forever

Ask Katy Hessel: Maria van Oosterwijck

01:31 - An expression of unwavering faith

Ask Katy Hessel: Maria Sibylla Merian

01:46 - Art and science come together

Vanitas stilleven Vanitas stilleven

Masterpiece Maria van Oosterwijck

Charley Toorop

4:09 min. - Women of the Rijksmuseum

Two Children with a Cat Two Children with a Cat

Judith Leyster

Star painter of the seventeenth century

Maritge Vooght

3:38 min. - Women of the Rijksmuseum

10 things

Maria Sibylla Merian’s insects of Suriname

Famous for her detailed illustrations of insects and plants
Still Life with Flowers in a Glass Vase Still Life with Flowers in a Glass Vase

Rachel Ruysch

Against all odds

Barbara Hepworth

17:46 min. - Ludo van Halem, curator of 20th-century art, and Robert Uterwijk, tour guide and artist

Young Italian Woman, with ‘Puck’ the Dog Young Italian Woman, with ‘Puck’ the Dog

Thérèse Schwartze

Powerhouse and portraitist of Dutch high society