The Mauritshuis was built in the 17th century as a city palace for Count Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen (1604–1679) and purchased in 1820 by the Dutch state to house the Royal Cabinet of Paintings. Although Vincent never mentioned visiting the Mauritshuis in his letters, he did refer to specific works from its collection (for example, Jacob van Ruisdael’s View of Haarlem with Bleaching Field in the Foreground (1628–1682)), and “the Maurithuis here”. It is therefore likely that he did see the museum and its collection. Indeed, it is almost unthinkable that someone with such a deep interest in art would not have done so.
Tips & remarks