Old master paintings. An illustrated summary catalogue. Rijksdienst Beeldende Kunst.

Umschlag berieben, leicht defekt, sonst gutes Exemplar. - In this Illustrated Summary Catalogue the collection of old master and 19th-century paintings in the possession of the Dutch state and curated by The Netherlands Office for Fine Arts (RBR, Rijksdienst Beeldende Runst) in The Hague is for the first time published in its entirety. The RBK is not a museum, nor does it have its own exhibition facilities. One of its main tasks is to assist Dutch and foreign museums and institutions involved in the presentation of art. Another important task is to loan works of art to Dutch institutions and museums from its own collection of approximately 400,000 objects of which about 3,600 are old master and 19th-century paintings. The collection is especially strong in Dutch 17th-century painting whereas early Italian and Flemish painting are also well represented. The nucleus of the collection consists of works that were recovered in Germany shortly after World War II and which for various reasons could not be returned to their rightful owners. In addition, it contains a considerable number of paintings, especially portraits, which have been donated or bequeathed to the State. According to the main task of the Office, this catalogue will principally serve as an instrument to the issue of paintings on loan, giving museums as well as other potential users the opportunity to make specific requests for loans. But it will no doubt also be useful as a reference work to the art historian in general. ISBN 9789066303669