The Rijksmuseum will hold two exhibitions marking the 400-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands

2012 marks the 400-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands. The Rijksmuseum will hold two exhibitions on this theme.

Photographs by Ahmet Polat: Remigration

28 February - 9 April 2012

The Rijksmuseum asked photographer Ahmet Polat (1978) to capture a new trend: young, well-educated Turkish Dutch remigrating to search for their fortune in the prospering Turkish economy. Polat, Turkish Dutch himself, also photographed older generation Turkish Dutch who returned to their country of origin after they retired. This Rijksmuseum assignment was sponsored by the 1975 Fund, part of the Rijksmuseum Fund.

Ottomania: The Turkish world through Western eyes (1500-1750)

28 February – 23 April 2012

Depictions of the Ottoman (Turkish) empire created by Westerners in the 15th-18th centuries varied between fascination for the foreign, exotic culture and awe for and fear of the powerful Turkish armies and their military successes. This exhibition includes travel report illustrations, portraits, costume books and prints of the conflict between Turks and Austrians during the famous Siege of Vienna in 1683.