麻豆社

Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals are the artsts at the centre of Sir Simon Schama's tour of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It's a place he knows well, having written extensively about Dutch history and about his great hero, Rembrandt.

So we are treated to Simon's vibrant take on The Nightwatch - the most justifiably famous group portrait and priniciple treasure of the museum. We have wonderful accounts too of Vermeer's Woman Reading a Letter and a Frans Hals' sexy marriage portrait.

There's also a fabulous still life that means you'll never look at asparagus in the same way again.

With the help of Museum Director Taco Dibbits, Simon sets the Rijksmuseum in context. It is more than a gallery. It is an account of the Dutch past and a 'temple of national identity' - it is where the Dutch go to remember who they were and still are. Duiring lockdown, it was voted the place that Dutch people most missed visiting.

You can find the names of the paintings and a link to the gallery on the Great Gallery Tours programme website.

Written and Presented by Sir Simon Schama
Produced by Susan Marling
A Just Radio production for 麻豆社 Radio 4