Point of view at the Rijksmuseum

150 paintings, prints, drawings, costumes, accessories, sculptures, furniture and photographs from the Rijksmuseum collection make it clear that gender can be found everywhere.

For example, you see 17th-century children's portraits in which all children wear a skirt. And you will learn that the colour pink was worn in the 18th century by everyone who could afford it, just like glitter, fringes and floral patterns. Together, the objects show that ideas about masculinity, femininity, and gender in general depend on time and place.

With works by Gesina ter Borch, Marlene Dumas, Bartholomeus van der Helst, Kinke Kooi, Robert Mapplethorpe, Erwin Olaf, Maria Roosen, Charley Toorop and Sara Troost, among others.

Gender Diversity

Point of View also shows how there have always been people whose identity, expression and experience do not fit within the conventional frameworks of masculinity and femininity. A historical example is Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689), who had herself depicted as both female and male. Portraits of recent icons that demonstrate the fluidity of gender are also shown, such as Robert Mapplethorpe and Grace Jones.

MBO students and their view on gender

Finally, gender in the exhibition is viewed from a contemporary perspective. Led by photographer Bete van Meeuwen, ten MBO students use photos to show what gender means to them.