- https://www.haagshistorischmuseum.nl/en/visit/see-and-do/on-location-view-of-the-hague-in-the-hague-city-hall
- On location: View of The Hague in the Hague City Hall
- 2025-01-21T00:00:00+01:00
- 2025-01-21T23:59:59+01:00
- Masterpiece of the Hague Historical Museum guest in the Atrium of the Hague City Hall for 1.5 years
This is pretty much what The Hague looked like around the middle of the 17th century. Surrounded by windmills and meadows. On and along the Trekvliet canal a hive of activity: travellers, walkers, fishermen and farmers come and go.
The Hague city council commissioned this painting from Jan van Goyen. This was how the city council expressed their pride in The Hague. The city view was displayed in the (old) city hall on Groenmarkt.
Over 350 years later, this is still a painting to be proud of. It is one of the largest cityscapes ever made in the Netherlands: no less than 4.6 metres wide. Right in the middle of the painting stands a stork, the symbol of the city.
Usually, the Gezicht op Den Haag (View of The Hague) is a top piece in the Schutterszaal of the Hague Historical Museum. As the museum is currently being renovated, it temporarily will be displayed in the (new) city hall. So, in a way, the painting is back home.
The presentation of the View of The Hague is a collaboration with Atrium City Hall Foundation and the Municipality of The Hague. The specially designed climate controlled showcase has been realised thanks to generous support by: