BIRDS – Curated by The Goldfinch & Simon Schama
12 Feb 2026 - 7 Jun 2026
Exhibition
We cannot imagine life without birds. They are a symbol of freedom, beauty and love. But birds are also pets, food or hunting trophies. In the exhibition BIRDS, we ask ourselves how it is possible that we both admire and imprison birds. And what does our relationship with birds say about how we treat nature?
The Goldfinch by Carel Fabritius from 1654 and British art historian Simon Schama bring birds from all over the world to the Mauritshuis. With art by Leonardo Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Tracey Emin and Iris van Herpen, we show how humans view birds.
Pet, food or trophy?
The exhibition BIRDS examines birds from seven different perspectives: from birds as pets to heavenly messengers. BIRDS displays a colourful collection of historical and contemporary artworks: paintings, drawings, natural history and fashion objects, and an audiovisual installation. Spot the most remarkable and colourful birds in the arts, and discover the stories behind them.
Carel Fabritius, Het puttertje, 1654, Mauritshuis, Den Haag.
Dates and Times
| Monday |
13:00 – 18:00
|
| Tuesday |
10:00 – 18:00
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| Wednesday |
10:00 – 18:00
|
| Thursday |
10:00 – 18:00
|
| Friday |
10:00 – 18:00
|
| Saturday |
10:00 – 18:00
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| Sunday |
10:00 – 18:00
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