Samuel van Hoogstraten, one of Rembrandt’s best-known pupils, was a master of illusion. His paintings challenge you to look closely, or to let yourself be fooled for a moment. One of the highlights of his oeuvre is Perspective with a Woman Reading a Letter, which has been part of the Mauritshuis collection since the museum opened in 1822. Following extensive research and restoration, the painting is now back on display.
To mark the 400th anniversary of Samuel van Hoogstraten’s birth, the Mauritshuis presents the first-ever exhibition dedicated to his remarkable ‘Perspectives': paintings that peer through stone arches into another world. Everything revolves around the pleasure of looking. With surprising vistas and optical illusions, you’ll find yourself wondering again and again: can I trust my eyes?
