Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten

The Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten (State Academy of Fine Arts) was founded in 1870 in Amsterdam.

It is a classical academy, a place where philosophers, academics and artists meet to test and exchange ideas and knowledge.

Among its pioneers here were George Breitner, Jan Toorop, Piet Mondrian, Jacques Witjens and Willem Arnoldus Witsen.

Early students included George Hendrik Breitner, Isaac Israëls and Willem Witsen, who were influenced by Amsterdam Impressionism.

Around 1985, the school received the additional title of Instituut voor Praktijkstudie and offered postdoctoral education.

In 1808 Louis Bonaparte introduced the prize in the Netherlands to promote art, and it was supported by Dutch King William I.

Prize money was increased, and there were more participating artists; new art categories were added, which change annually.