Rijksmuseum

Overview

The Rijksmuseum API exposes 700,000+ Dutch art objects — paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer included — with metadata and images. The API requires a free key (an invalid key returned 401 in our checks).

⚠️ Breaking change (verified 2026-08): the legacy endpoints are gone — www.rijksmuseum.nl/api/... returned HTTP 410/404, and data.rijksmuseum.nl/api/collection also 404s. The API has moved/restructured — consult the current docs at data.rijksmuseum.nl before integrating.

What it used to provide

curl "https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/api/en/collection?key=YOUR_KEY&involvedMaker=Rembrandt"

{
  "artObjects": [
    { "objectNumber": "SK-A-1", "title": "The Night Watch", "principalMaker": "Rembrandt van Rijn", "webImage": { "url": "https://..." } }
  ]
}

Alternatives

• Harvard Art Museums and Metropolitan Museum of Art (both listed on this site) — verified museum APIs.

FAQ

Is the Rijksmuseum API working? Our 2026-08 check got 410/404 on the legacy endpoints — the API has moved. Verify the current docs.

Was it free? Yes — free key with rate limits.

What did it provide? 700,000+ Dutch art objects with metadata and images.