Pierre Cuypers and the Rijksmuseum

About Pierre Cuypers

Petrus Josephus Hubertus (Pierre) Cuypers (16 May 1827 3 March 1921) was a Dutch
architect. His name is most frequently associated with the Amsterdam Central Station
(18811889) and the Rijksmuseum (18761885), both in Amsterdam.
Cuypers grew up in surroundings in which interest for art was encouraged. After he studied at
the urban college in Roermond, he moved to Antwerp to study architecture at the Royal art
academy. He was taught by Frans Andries Durlet, Frans Stoop and Ferdinand Berckmans, all
pioneers of the neo-Gothic architecture in Belgium. In 1849, he gained the Prix
d'Excellence of the academy.
Cuypers' ecclesiastical work was initially strongly influenced by 13th century French
architecture and by the writings of his friends Eugene Viollet-le-Duc and J. A. Alberdingk
Thijm. Cuypers built a large number of churches all across the Netherlands, in which the
French influence played a prominent role. From 1870 onwards Cuypers' style became more
influenced by the native Gothic styles of the Netherlands as well as Gothic styles from other
countries like Norway and Italy. He also experimented with centralizing ground-plans and
other non-conventional layouts. In this second part of his career he built some of his best
work.
The Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum was designed by Cuypers in a combination of both Renaissance and
Gothic [1] styles in the late 1870s. The result is similar to the Htel de Ville in Paris in what is
considered to be "French Neo-Renaissance" style. However, at the Rijksmuseum the
Gothic elements seem to outweigh the Renaissance and the building, despite the English
Renaissance quoins, and chateauesque roofs, is often considered to be Gothic.
On the embankment of one of the canals in Amsterdam there is a very long building stretching
for one block. The peaked roofs and red brick walls traditional in Nederland, relate it with the

surrounding buildings. This building does not differ with its architectural virtues but is naturally
blended with the general view of the city.This Rijksmuseum - one of the largest art museums
in the world.