President Macron gets a private tour of the Rijksmuseum’s blockbuster Vermeer show

It is proving impossible to see the Vermeer blockbuster at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam (until 4 June) with some tickets selling on eBay for more than $2,000 according to Hyperallergic. The clamour to view 28 paintings by the Dutch Old Master, especially in the wake of rave reviews, is only increasing. But you can get to see the show—if you’re the President of France. Earlier this week Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte popped in to the Vermeer smorgasbord along with the Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte (King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and his wife Queen Maximaa also showed up). Macron was seen deep in conversation with the Rijksmuseum director, Taco Dibbits, who appeared to be giving the French head of state the lowdown on Vermeer’s classic work The MilkMaid. Emmanuel and Brigitte also admired Girl with a Flute (1670), sharing a tender moment over the portrait which was downgraded earlier this year in the wake of new research. Naturally, Macron also took time to admire a work on loan from Paris. “We are delighted that The Lacemaker is on show at the Vermeer exhibition. We thank the Louvre and the French government for this generous loan,” tweeted the Rijksmuseum, rather tactfully.