RKD Nederlands Instituut voor Kunstgeschiedenis

The knowledge institute of the visual arts of the Low Countries

The RKD — Netherlands Institute for Art History offers museums, academic community and the public a wealth of collections, knowledge and publications for extensive research and inspiration
 

About the RKD

CURRENT

News and recent developments

RKD Research enriched with medieval miniatures

News
More than 27,000 descriptions have recently been added.
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Gregoriusmis (miniatuur) en Zielen in het vagevuur (gehistorieerde initiaal). Getijdenboek, vermoedelijk gemaakt voor iemand uit de familie van Lochorst, met geschilderde voorstellingen en margeversieringen door de Meester van Katherina van Kleef. Utrecht, ca. 1460 (Den Haag, Huis van het boek, Ms. MMW 10 F 50, ff. 147v-148r)

Olphaert den Otter donates study material to the RKD

News
The donation includes material on the monumental artwork ‘Een onvergetelijke dag’.
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Olphaert den Otter, studie voor de tondo van de kristallen bol, 2025, collectie RKD

Samuel van Hoogstraten Symposium

Event
A hybrid symposium organised by the RKD in collaboration with the Rembrandt House Museum.
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RKD Research Trompe-loeil stilleven, 20 januari 1664 gedateerd

COLLECTION

Dive into the RKD collection

Our collection includes the world's largest art history library, over 2.5 kilometres of archival material, many digital data, documentation and technical information on art

Archieven

Library

From general art literature, art lexicons, artists' books and preciosa to the large collection of auction catalogues.

Archives

You can view archive material at the RKD. Request an archive at least two days in advance.

Digital data

With RKD Research, you search seven databases containing millions of data.

START RESEARCH

Begin your research

Doing your own art history research? Start online with RKD Research, check out one of the other websites, or drop by our study room in The Hague. We are happy to help!

Onderzoek doen

Check out the various research platforms

Like Van Gogh Worldwide, Mondrian Papers and the Rembrandt Database.

Visit the RKD

Do research in our study room, take part in an event and view our exhibition.

Search the RKD Research databases

Get started right away and begin your research online!

KNOWLEGDE & PUBLICATIONS

Results of art historical research

As a knowledge institute, we work closely with museums, heritage institutions and universities. Besides a research role, the RKD serves a public function. Our staff contributes to publications and exhibitions
 

 

Unwavering legacy: 18th-century women artists in the RKD database

RKD Story
Romy Kerkhof talks about her internship project at the RKD, which revolves around female artists.
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Catalogue of a Danish collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings

News
Years of research resulting in the book Dutch and Flemish Painting at The Nivaagaard Collection.
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Social structures of seventeenth-century Brussels painters

News
New book publication Painters and Communities in Seventeenth-Century Brussels: A Social History of Art.
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Several times a year the RKD sends out a digital newsletter in both Dutch and English, in which we keep you posted on the latest news and inform you about our activities.