It’s proving impossible to see the Vermeer blockbuster at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (until June 4) with some tickets selling on eBay for over $2,000 according to Hyperallergic. The clamor to see 28 paintings by the old Dutch master, especially following rave reviews, is only growing. But you can see the show, if you’re the president of France. Earlier this week, Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte jumped into the Vermeer smorgasbord with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his wife Queen Maximaa also showed up). Macron was seen deep in conversation with Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits, who appeared to be giving the French head of state the lowdown on Vermeer’s classic work The milk girl. Emmanuel and Brigitte also admired girl with a flute (1670), sharing a tender moment on the portrait that was downgraded earlier this year following new research. Naturally, Macron also took the time to admire a work on loan from Paris. “We are delighted that The Lacemaker is presented at the Vermeer exhibition. We thank the Louvre and the French government for this generous loan,” the Rijksmuseum tweeted, rather tactfully.
