Sadly, I am back home now, not long enough of a trip, but still so happy I was able to go.

I agree with comments upthread about there being a lot to learn from how this exhibition was carried out. Lack of labels next to each painting helped keep crowding around paintings manageable, as did no guided tours within the exhibition and the semi-circular bannisters put in front of each painting. I would also add no audio tours to that list too. When we went up into the main collection after we saw Vermeer, the number of people who are just strolling around obliviously with the audio tour pinned to their ear was distracting them and dangerous to the rest of us, almost as if they thought they were in their kitchens on the phone with no one around them, just wandering aimlessly. We actually left after about an hour of trying to fight our way through the large tour groups and those people. Thankfully we'd seen the collection twice before, and just wanted to see the Night Watch in conservation. (One tour group leader actually asked an older couple admiring Rembrandt's Isaac and Rebecca to move so that her group could stand in front of the painting!)

I wish I had seen this thread earlier, but luckily I was able to get tickets when the museum extended the hours, but I was afraid of it selling out again, and grabbed 2 tickets before checking with my friends who love art. Sadly, none can make the date I chose:( so I have an extra ticket that I won't be using.

I work in DC, so I saw the mini exhibit the National Gallery had where it revealed the previously attributed painting was not his. It was thought to be a student of his, not a forgery, but presented next to a true Vermeer, you could see the student had not mastered how Vermeer painted the eyes of his subject.

Looking forward to seeing this exhibit!

Trudy, you can put your additional ticket up for sale on ticketswap.com. Have a look at it, you can see that many people are waiting to buy a ticket there. It is a very good and legal site.

Thanks Tulips
 

I will look at the site; I'd hate to let my ticket go to waste.

Now that the exhibition has closed here are some great statistics. As an art fan and someone passionate about Vermeer, I consider myself fortunate to have seen it.

I also just got the on Amazon, discounted from the gift shop price and with the plus that I didn't have to lug it home. I know others didn't love the quality of it, but I really like it.