The newly built Rijksmuseum was officially opened on 13 July 1885, with construction work having taken ten years. The architect was Pierre Cuypers (1827-1921), a prominent member of the Catholic Church.

Cuypers emulated the master builders of medieval cathedrals by incorporating a portrayal of himself in decorations on the Rijksmuseum facade. Inside the museum many of the original decorations have disappeared, but Cuypers’ work was restored to its former glory as part of the last major renovation, which was completed in 2013 . The Rijksmuseum was not Cuypers’ only showpiece building, however: ‘his’ Central Station in Amsterdam opened in 1889. Aside from these two famous projects, Cuypers worked mostly on churches and monuments.