Metamorphoses, De Kooning and More: Rijksmuseum Unveils 2026 Exhibitions
If you visit Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum in 2026, you’ll encounter everything from Ovid’s enduring tales to de Kooning’s restless creativity, exploring how art continues to shape and reflect our world.
The Rijksmuseum is set to host a year of exceptional exhibitions in 2026, combining myth, modernity, and artistic innovation. Kicking off the programme is Metamorphoses (6 February–25 May), an ambitious show bringing together over 80 masterpieces inspired by Ovid’s classical text. Works by Titian, Correggio, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rodin, Magritte, and Bourgeois reveal how themes of desire, transformation, and human emotion have inspired artists for centuries.
Running concurrently, FAKE (6 February–25 May) offers a timely exploration of image manipulation, from early photographic techniques using scissors and glue to today’s AI-driven debates. The exhibition features over 50 historical photographs, highlighting the motives behind altered images and tracing the long history of visual experimentation.
In summer, the Rijksmuseum shifts focus to Dutch masters. Carel Visser in the Rijksmuseum Gardens (5 June–25 October) surveys the sculptor’s minimalist geometric works, while Ed van der Elsken (19 June–13 September) presents the photographer’s postwar oeuvre through intimate street photography, experimental darkroom techniques, and rare archival materials.
Autumn sees a deep dive into the creative process with Willem de Kooning At Work (9 October 2026–17 January 2027). Featuring around 125 works—drawings, paintings, and sculptures—the exhibition traces de Kooning’s journey from Rotterdam to New York, offering unprecedented insight into the evolution of one of Abstract Expressionism’s most restless innovators.
Throughout the year, visitors can also witness Operation Night Watch, a rare opportunity to see the meticulous restoration of Rembrandt’s masterpiece, highlighting both the artistry and science of conservation.
From classical myth to modern experimentation, 2026 at the Rijksmuseum is a year-long journey through creativity, history, and human imagination.
Plan Your Visit: For tickets and exhibition details, visit https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
