Samuel van Hoogstraten, Rembrandt's most successful pupil, was a pioneer of illusionism. His retrospective exhibition, designed by Studio Mayra & Sam, is now on show at Museum Rembrandthuis.

Time for a renewed introduction, because after the 17th century, Van Hoogstraten lost his fame among the general public. And yet he was a master painter who constantly experimented with optical tricks in his paintings. Another unique fact: he wrote down all his lessons learned in a book for a new generation of painters entitled ‘Inleyding tot de hooge schoole der schilderkonst’.

By making use of vistas, as Van Hoogstraten did, Mayra & Sam transformed the museum's small spaces into pleasant rooms where visitors can admire the art. Together with the stately letters and radiant colors, the exhibition takes on a monumental and modern feel. Quotations from his book appear on the walls, and Van Hoogstraten occasionally scribbles something next to them himself. The ‘life-size’ perspective room as an introduction sets the tone for the rest of the exhibition: a journey through Van Hoogstraten's life and mastery full of illusionism.  

Samuel van Hoogstraten, De Pantoffels, ca. 1658

In this exhibition you will get to know Samuel van Hoogstraten, discover the art of illusion and get to try it out yourself: see past the trickery and create your own optical illusion. ︎︎︎︎ — Trouw

The Rembrandthuis in Amsterdam shows that painting is capable of illusionism, with paintings and drawings by Samuel van Hoogstraten. — NRC

Van Hoogstraten wrote down all his lessons learned in a book for a new generation of painters entitled ‘Inleyding tot de hooge schoole der schilderkonst’. It is a unique fact that through his book, we are able to hear Van Hoogstraten speak. Quotations from his book appear on the walls, and Van Hoogstraten occasionally scribbles something next to them himself...