Twenty-five masterpieces from Madrid have arrived at the Mauritshuis for a special exhibition celebrating the longstanding relationship between two internationally renowned museums.
In a unique exchange, the Mauritshuis and the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid have temporarily exchanged 25 paintings each. While masterpieces from The Hague are on display in Spain, visitors to the Mauritshuis can discover an exceptional selection of works from the Spanish museum’s celebrated collection.
The exhibition, Thyssen-Bornemisza ❤️ Mauritshuis: Masterpieces from Madrid, features paintings by major European artists including Jan van Eyck, Albrecht Dürer, El Greco, Agnolo Bronzino, Antonello da Messina and Piero della Francesca.
A Celebration of Art and Love
The exhibition centres on the theme of love, reflecting the longstanding relationship between the two museums.
Through paintings from different periods and artistic traditions, visitors can explore the many expressions and meanings of love in European art.
Among the works on display is Michael Sweerts’ Boy with a Turban, a painting that invites comparisons with Johannes Vermeer’s famous Girl with a Pearl Earring.
To coincide with the exhibition, the Mauritshuis has released a special episode of its podcast The Secret of the Girl with a Pearl Earring. Presenter Splinter Chabot explores the possible connection between the two paintings, asking whether Vermeer may have known Sweerts’ work and drawn inspiration from it.
The exhibition offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience masterpieces from Madrid in The Hague and discover the artistic connections between the two collections.
Practical Information
Dates: 15 October 2026 – 17 January 2027
Location: Mauritshuis, Plein 29, The Hague
Tickets: Visit the Mauritshuis website for admission information and reservations.
More information:
https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/thyssen-bornemisza
Image: Michael Sweerts, Boy with a Turban, c. 1658-61, Johannes Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring, c. 1665