Rijksmuseum MCP Server
About
Allows you to search for artworks, retrieve detailed information about specific artworks, access image tiles for artworks, and explore user-created collections from the Rijksmuseum.
Details
- Author
- R.Huijts
- Repository
- r-huijts/rijksmuseum-mcp
- GitHub stars
- 41
- Downloads
- 350
- License
- MIT License
- Categories
- Search, Knowledge Base, Other, Media
Jump to
The server provides several tools for interacting with the Rijksmuseum's collection:
Setting up with Highlight
Follow these steps to add this server as a custom Highlight plugin:
- Download and install Highlight from highlightai.com/download
- Navigate to the plugins tab and select "Add Custom Plugin"
-
Configure the plugin with the settings below
Plugin Name
Rijksmuseum MCP ServerCommand (node, npx, python, etc.)npxArguments-
Argument 1
-y -
Argument 2
mcp-server-rijksmuseum
Environment-
RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY
your_api_key_here
Please refer to the README for specific instructions on how to obtain API keys or other required environment variables.
-
Argument 1
- Enable "Start Automatically" if you want the plugin to start when Highlight launches
From the repository
The server can be configured through environment variables:
- RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY: Your Rijksmuseum API key (required)
- PORT: Server port (default: 3000)
- LOG_LEVEL: Logging level (default: 'info')
search_artwork
Search and filter artworks using various criteria including text-based search, artist name, artwork type, materials and techniques, time periods, colors, and more.
get_artwork_details
Retrieve comprehensive information about specific artworks, including basic details (title, artist, dates), physical properties, historical context, visual information, curatorial information, and exhibition history.
get_artwork_image
Access high-resolution image data with deep zoom capabilities, including multiple zoom levels, tile-based image loading, full resolution support, and position information.
get_user_sets
Explore user-created collections by browsing curated sets, viewing thematic groupings, analyzing collection patterns, and accessing detailed set information.
get_user_set_details
Access detailed information about specific user-created collections, including their contents and thematic organization.
open_image_in_browser
Open artwork images directly in your browser for detailed viewing.
get_artist_timeline
Generate chronological timelines of artists' works to track artistic development, analyze periods and styles, and study career progression.
Claude Desktop / Cursor
Paste into your MCP client config file to install this server.
{
"mcpServers": {
"rijksmuseum mcp server": {
"env": {
"RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
},
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-server-rijksmuseum"
],
"command": "npx"
}
}
}
Linux
{
"env": {
"RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
},
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-server-rijksmuseum"
],
"command": "npx"
}
Macos
{
"env": {
"RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
},
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-server-rijksmuseum"
],
"command": "npx"
}
Windows
{
"env": {
"RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
},
"args": [
"/c",
"npx",
"-y",
"mcp-server-rijksmuseum"
],
"command": "cmd"
}
Rijksmuseum MCP Server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides access to the Rijksmuseum's collection through natural language interactions. This server enables AI models to explore, analyze, and interact with artworks and collections from the Rijksmuseum.
<a href="https://glama.ai/mcp/servers/4rmiexp64y"></a>
Features
The server provides several tools for interacting with the Rijksmuseum's collection:
1. Search Artworks (search_artwork)
Search and filter artworks using various criteria including:
- Text-based search
- Artist name
- Artwork type
- Materials and techniques
- Time periods
- Colors
- And more
2. Artwork Details (get_artwork_details)
Retrieve comprehensive information about specific artworks, including:
- Basic details (title, artist, dates)
- Physical properties
- Historical context
- Visual information
- Curatorial information
- Exhibition history
3. High-Resolution Images (get_artwork_image)
Access high-resolution image data with deep zoom capabilities:
- Multiple zoom levels
- Tile-based image loading
- Full resolution support
- Position information
4. User Collections (get_user_sets & get_user_set_details)
Explore user-created collections:
- Browse curated sets
- View thematic groupings
- Analyze collection patterns
- Access detailed set information
5. Image Viewing (open_image_in_browser)
Open artwork images directly in your browser for detailed viewing.
6. Artist Timeline (get_artist_timeline)
Generate chronological timelines of artists' works:
- Track artistic development
- Analyze periods and styles
- Study career progression
Example Use Cases
Here are some example queries you can ask the AI when using this server:
Artwork Discovery
"Show me all paintings by Rembrandt from the 1640s"
"Find artworks that prominently feature the color blue"
"What are the most famous masterpieces in the collection?"
"Search for still life paintings from the Dutch Golden Age"
Artwork Analysis
"Tell me everything about The Night Watch"
"What are the dimensions and materials used in Van Gogh's Self Portrait?"
"Show me high-resolution details of the brushwork in Vermeer's The Milkmaid"
"Compare the colors used in different versions of The Potato Eaters"
Artist Research
"Create a timeline of Rembrandt's self-portraits"
"How did Van Gogh's use of color evolve throughout his career?"
"Show me all works by Frans Hals in chronological order"
"What techniques did Jan Steen use in his paintings?"
Thematic Exploration
"Find all artworks depicting biblical scenes"
"Show me paintings of Amsterdam in the 17th century"
"What artworks feature flowers or still life arrangements?"
"Find portraits that include musical instruments"
Collection Analysis
"Show me the most popular user-curated collections"
"Find sets that focus on landscape paintings"
"What are the recent additions to the museum's collection?"
"Show me collections featuring works from multiple artists"
Visual Details
"Let me examine the details in the background of The Night Watch"
"Show me a close-up of the jewelry in Girl with a Pearl Earring"
"Can you display the highest resolution version of The Jewish Bride?"
"I want to study the facial expressions in The Syndics"
Getting Started
You can install this server in two ways:
1. Using Claude Desktop with NPM Package
Update your Claude configuration file (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json):
{
"mcpServers": {
"rijksmuseum-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-server-rijksmuseum"
],
"env": {
"RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}
You can get an API key from the Rijksmuseum API Portal.
2. From Source
1. Clone this repository 2. Install dependencies: npm install
3. Copy the example environment file:
cp .env.example .env
4. Add your Rijksmuseum API key to the .env file:
RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
5. Then update your Claude configuration file:
{
"mcpServers": {
"rijksmuseum-server": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"/path/to/rijksmuseum-server/build/index.js"
],
"env": {
"RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}
Make sure to:
- Replace /path/to/rijksmuseum-server with the actual path to your installation
- Add your Rijksmuseum API key in the env section
After updating the configuration, restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect.
Configuration
The server can be configured through environment variables:
- RIJKSMUSEUM_API_KEY: Your Rijksmuseum API key (required)
- PORT: Server port (default: 3000)
- LOG_LEVEL: Logging level (default: 'info')
API Documentation
For detailed information about the Rijksmuseum API endpoints used by this server, visit:
Rijksmuseum API Documentation
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit pull requests or create issues for bugs and feature requests.
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
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