From the morbid Museum Gevangenpoort or the Prison Gate Museum, we move on to the beautiful Galerij Prins Willem V or Prince William V Gallery right next door.
This was the picture gallery of Prince William V (1748 – 1806) – Prince of Orange & Stadholder of the Netherlands. He had this annex converted – a long room with a high ceiling, built adjacent to the Prison Gate Museum, to show off his immersive art collection in one place to the public. There were about 200 paintings hanging here back in the day. The gallery was open to everyone two days a week, from 11 am to 1 pm. Thus, became the Netherlands’ first ever public art gallery/museum established in 1774!
In 1795, his collection was seized by the French as war booty, and they were displayed in the Louvre. Many of the paintings were returned eventually after the fall of Napoleon in 1815. His son, King William I, transferred the collection, Royal Cabinet of Paintings, and archived them at the nearby art museum called Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery.
Prince William V Gallery was re-opened 1977.
Today, the annex is fully restored to its former 18th-century luster, packed with 150 masterpieces covering all walls from ceiling to baseboard. A third of which were part of the original compilation. The inventory that has code GPWV indicates artworks that were initially hung in this gallery. The most important works from William’s possessions are on display at the Mauritshuis. Among the old masters on display here are Gerrit Berckheyde, Peter Paul Rubens, Jan Steen, Samuel van Hoogstraten, etc. Details of the artworks are available on a printed booklet in Dutch and English, located within the room.
One important piece that stood out for me was the Berckheyde’s painting entitled “A Hunting Party near the Hofvijver in The Hague”. It reveals how little the building across has changed over the last 350 years, from the window of this gallery.
In the front room, a small painting on the corner of the wall, near the entry door, Jan Steen’s “The Tooth Puller” amused me. A boy seen clenching his fist to brace himself against the pain is something we all can relate to. An unexpected humorous piece!
Also worth mentioning is the unusual Gonzales Coques’s painting, “Interior with Figures in a Picture Gallery, 1667 – 1672 and 1706”. The painting depicts rooms or halls, a main large room in the foreground, fully decorated and filled with an imaginary collection from floor to ceiling. Apparently, around twenty painters worked on it. I was captivated.
The Prince William V Gallery is truly a hidden gem of The Hague. It is such a glamorously intimate gallery, certainly worth your time! The entry ticket is very affordable at €5.50 per adult. But if you have a ticket to The Mauritshuis, you get a free visit to the Prince William V Gallery. Don’t skip.
Note: Museum Gevangenpoort or the Prison Gate Museum right next door is very interesting!
Same museum entrance and same ticketing counter.
Website: https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/discover/prince-william-v-gallery/ (also in English)
Address: Buitenhof 33. 2513AH Den Haag.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.
Entrance Fees: €5.50 for adults and free for all under 19 years old. Free entry for Museumkaart holders.
Getting There: It is located right next to Museum Gevangenpoort or the Prison Gate Museum. https://www.gevangenpoort.nl/en/plan-your-visit/practical-information/address-and-route
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