The building

The Mauritshuis, a unique 17th-century palace, is one of the most beautiful examples of Dutch classicist architecture.

The house was named after the man who had it built: Count Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen. Johan Maurits was the governor of the Dutch colony in Brazil from 1636 to 1644, during which period this house was built for him. He entrusted the project to the best architects of his day: Jacob van Campen and his assistant Pieter Post.