ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

‘Old Masters, New Amsterdam’ at New-York Historical Society

exhibition · 2026-05-02

The New-York Historical Society’s exhibition ‘Old Masters, New Amsterdam’ presents 17th-century Dutch paintings from New York’s early colonial period, but critics note the show sanitizes the rowdy reality of the port town. The exhibition includes works by artists such as Frans Hals and Rembrandt van Rijn, yet omits the drunkenness and anarchy that characterized the Dutch settlement. Curated by Dr. Louise Mirrer, the show runs through May 2025.

Key facts

  • Exhibition titled ‘Old Masters, New Amsterdam’ at New-York Historical Society
  • Features 17th-century Dutch paintings from early colonial New York
  • Includes works by Frans Hals and Rembrandt van Rijn
  • Criticized for sanitizing the rowdy, anarchic character of the Dutch port town
  • Curated by Dr. Louise Mirrer
  • Runs through May 2025
  • Source: Financial Times article by unnamed critic
  • Exhibition opened in 2024

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • New-York Historical Society
  • Financial Times
  • Leiden Collection

Locations

  • New York City
  • United States
  • Amsterdam
  • Netherlands
  • New Amsterdam
  • New York

Sources