Rijksmuseum masterpieces to tour U.S.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The Rijksmuseum is planning a traveling exhibit of 100 masterpiece paintings that will visit at least three American cities in 2006-2007.

The show, titled "Rembrandt and the Golden Age," will be made possible by the closing of many galleries in the state museum during extensive renovations, according to Rudolph Tu Lorm, the Rijksmuseum's head of exhibitions. It will include works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Steen, Frans Hals and many other Dutch masters.

Tu Lorm said the show will visit the Dayton Art Institute in Ohio, the Phoenix Art Museum in Arizona, and the Portland Art Museum in Oregon. He declined to say just how much money the Rijksmuseum will earn from the show, which is being offered on a rental basis.

"It's a chance for us to raise some extra money," Tu Lorm said.

In addition to the traveling show, the Rijksmuseum has loaned five paintings by Gerard Ter Borch for an exhibition of the artist's work currently at the National Gallery in Washington and other works to Dutch museums at no charge.