The record-breaking Vermeer exhibition currently on display at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has got to be one of the hottest tickets in town this spring, but those who have so far been unable to secure tickets are sadly out of luck, with NOS reporting that the exhibition is now “definitely” sold out.

Amsterdam's Vermeer exhibit was sold out by day two

While the museum’s exhibition showcasing the work of renowned Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer was always going to be historic, the level of international interest and sheer demand for tickets has surprised even the Rijksmuseum itself. 

After months of buildup, the Rijksmuseum had sold over 200.000 tickets before Vermeer even opened its doors to the public. By February 11 - or day two of the four-month-long exhibition - all 450.000 tickets had been sold.

There won't be any more tickets for Vermeer, museum says

Since then, after adjusting the exhibit’s opening hours, the museum was able to free up a couple more thousand tickets, in an attempt to ensure that as many people as possible would be able to attend this historic exhibit. The most recent round of ticket sales, which took place last week, resulted in the museum’s website crashing within just 60 seconds of the tickets going on sale. 

Ultimately, the Rijksmuseum was able to get its ticket shop back online, and a lucky few were able to secure tickets for Vermeer. However, those who have remained unlucky in their attempts won’t be able to pin their hopes on another round of tickets becoming available in the coming weeks: over the weekend, the museum confirmed to NOS that the Vermeer exhibition “is definitely sold out”. 

Vermeer's work still visible online via Rijksmuseum's website

28 of Vermeer’s surviving 36 paintings are on display at the Rijksmusem, including the Delft-born artist's most famous work Girl with a Pearl Earring, which is on loan from the Mauritshuis. While the exhibition is open until June 4, 2023, Girl with a Pearl Earring will only be in Amsterdam until March 30 before it returns to its home in The Hague.

The Rijksmuseum has reminded those who have been unable to secure tickets that the entire collection - including the seven paintings which have never been on display to the Dutch public before - can still be enjoyed via the “online exploration” on the museum’s website, Closer to Johannes Vermeer.

Thumb: Kiev.Victor via Shutterstock.com.