Taco Dibbits Appointed New Director of Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Taco Dibbits, head of collections since 2008, has been named the new general director of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, succeeding Wim Pijbes who will step down on July 15, 2016. The appointment was announced by the museum's board of directors with approval from Dutch Culture Minister Jet Bussemaker and the Museum Employees Council. Dibbits, born in 1968, earned his art history degree from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Cambridge in 1993. He joined the Rijksmuseum in 2002 and played a key role in shaping the museum's new identity after its ten-year renovation, which concluded with its reopening in 2013. He was instrumental in developing the Rijksstudio website and oversaw major acquisitions including Adriaen de Vries's "La Baccante" (2015) and Rembrandt's "Marten en Oopjen" (2016). Dibbits also curated two highly successful exhibitions: "Rembrandt & Caravaggio" (2006) and "Late Rembrandt" (2015). Outgoing director Pijbes is leaving to lead the private Voorlinden collection in Wassenaar, a decision described as surprising but in keeping with contemporary trends. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, chairman of the Rijksmuseum's assembly, praised Dibbits for combining international experience with passion for art and history, noting his ability to drive innovation and inspire visitors.