New York Historical (170 Central Prk W, New York, NY 10024) is offering visitors a rare look into daily life in 17th-century New Amsterdam through an exhibition featuring Rembrandt van Rijn and other Dutch masters. Old Masters, New Amsterdam, on view May 1 through Aug. 30, 2026, presents more than 60 paintings, including portraits, genre scenes, and still lifes, along with historical objects from the museum and a range of public and private collections.
The exhibition commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of New Amsterdam, the Dutch settlement that became modern-day New York City. Works by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Frans Hals, and their contemporaries depict settlers at home, in marketplaces, at prayer, and in taverns, offering insight into a society marked by commerce, cultural diversity, and creativity.
“Old Masters, New Amsterdam is a fascinating view into daily life in New Amsterdam—a diverse settlement and a place of commerce, creativity, and conflict,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of New York Historical.
The exhibition also highlights the transatlantic trade, domestic life, and entertainment of the Dutch colony. Paintings such as Jan Steen’s Peasants Merrymaking Outside an Inn capture the vibrancy of communal celebrations, while still lifes by Pieter Claesz and Frans Snyders illustrate the foods and luxuries available to settlers. Portraits, including Rembrandt’s 1634 self-portrait, offer glimpses into the social and political roles of individuals in New Amsterdam.
The exhibition does not shy away from the city’s darker history. Maps, documents, and artworks, including pieces by Wenceslaus Hollar, illustrate the displacement of Indigenous people and the presence of enslaved Africans, reflecting the complexities of colonial life. Foundational documents such as the Flushing Remonstrance and the journal of Quaker leader John Bowne provide context for the early struggle for religious freedom in America.
A digital 3D reimagining of the 1660 Castello Plan allows visitors to explore the original layout of New Amsterdam, from the interior of homes to City Hall and the Indian Trading House, tracing the Lenape trail that later became Broadway.
The exhibition is co-curated by Russell Shorto, director of the New Amsterdam Project at New York Historical, and Arthur K. Wheelock Jr., senior advisor to the Leiden Collection. Special tours, family programs, and public talks will complement the exhibition throughout its run, providing visitors of all ages with opportunities to engage with the history and art of New Amsterdam.
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