The Facts
On September 14, 2026, the Rijksmuseum and the Mauritshuis announced the joint acquisition of Hendrick Avercamp's "Colf Players on the Ice," painted circa 1625. The painting, a winter landscape depicting two men playing colf—a forerunner of golf—is considered a highlight of Avercamp's mature oeuvre and the earliest known depiction of the sport. The work will debut at the Stedelijk Museum Kampen on October 3, 2026, as part of Avercamp Year 2026 and the exhibition "Avercamp Back in Kampen: the 17th Century through the Eyes of Hendrick & Barent," running through January 10, 2027. It will then alternate between the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the Mauritshuis in The Hague, marking the return of a major Dutch winter landscape to the Netherlands.
The Signal
The joint acquisition underscores the deepening collaboration between the two institutions on research, conservation, and shared stewardship of the Dutch national art collection. For collectors and curators, the purchase signals the enduring institutional value of 17th-century Dutch painting, particularly works that combine art historical significance with cultural heritage. Avercamp's focus on a small, intimate group in the foreground, rather than a teeming crowd, makes this composition a rare and innovative example of his work, offering new insights into the 'Little Ice Age' period and early modern daily life. The painting's alternating display between two major museums ensures broad public access while reinforcing the strategic importance of joint acquisitions in preserving national treasures.
- Artists: Hendrick Avercamp
- People: Taco Dibbits, Martine Gosselink
- Museums: Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis, Stedelijk Museum Kampen
- Locations: Amsterdam, The Hague, Kampen
The Morning Signal · Daily
Get stories like this in your inbox
The art world in one daily email — auctions, openings, and acquisitions from 90+ primary sources, distilled into a five-minute read. Independent — no marketplace, no gallery ads.
Join collectors, dealers & curators
No spam · free every morning · unsubscribe anytime
The Jobs Digest · Weekly
New art-world jobs, every Monday
The Jobs Digest rounds up the week’s new museum, gallery, and auction-house openings — with salary when disclosed. One email a week, unsubscribe anytime.
