The ambitious renovation of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam began in 2003. One of the world’s preeminent art institutions and home to a vast collection including masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, the museum was scheduled to reopen in 2008. From the start, the project was met with political and public opposition and the landmark was slowly transformed into a seemingly perpetual building site. The New Rijksmuseum follows the museum’s director, Ronald de Leeuw, and his successor, Wim Pijbes, in their battle with politicians, designers, curators, and even the Dutch Cyclists Union, as they endeavored to reopen the museum and put its massive collection back on display.