Mission Masterpiece

There are millions of objects in the Rijksmuseum depot, where we store all our artworks. Is there a forgotten masterpiece here, just waiting to be discovered? Come and investigate real museum artworks in the lab. You will get to use the same techniques scientists used to study The Night Watch and The Milkmaid.

Is that painting a real Vermeer? Is that crown made of real gold? Find out for yourself using UV light, X-ray scans, tree ring data and more.

Grab your research card and put on your white lab coat – you’re going on a mission together!

Useful to know:

• Free admission up to age 18– but don’t forget to book your time slot
• This mission is fun for the whole family, including adults
• For children aged 8+ but suitable to bring your younger brother/sister
• The mission will take about an hour, leaving plenty of time to visit the Gallery of Honour as well

Created with

Created together with NEMO Science Museum

THANKS!

Mission Masterpiece is made possible in part by ING, KPN, AkzoNobel, Stichting Zabawas and the Rijksmuseum Fonds.

We also thank Museum Rembrandthuis - Amsterdam, Koninklijke Verzamelingen - Den Haag, Birgem, Hochschule trier, Klein & becker, Lyppens juwelier, Nederlands edelstenen laboratorium, Naturalis, Rijksdienst voor het cultureel erfgoed, Steltman juwelier Fruitleather Rotterdam.