of the Netherlands and Brussels having seceded from the kingdom along with the rest of Belgium. Before the relocation could begin however, the academic world was shocked by the unexpected death of the still young Reuvens. Under Leemans Reuvens' student, Conrad Leemans, was appointed temporary curator of the collection and was asked to compile reports on the state of the museum and Reuvens' intended publications. Leemans followed Reuvens in complaining about the poor state of the antiquities due to limited finances and a poor housing. In November 1835, a turning event occurred for the museum when the university bought an 18th-century mansion and offered to place the collection there. Leemans set to work in redecorating the mansion and moving the collection to the new building. Budgetary problems and the difficulties of transporting some of the largest pieces through the city were eventually overcome and, in August 1838, the National Museum of Antiquities finally had its official opening for the public. Reuvens' collection had grown to a real museum. See also Temple of Taffeh Caspar Reuvens Jean Emile Humbert Leiden University Papenbroek Collection Rottiers Collection Thoms Collection Papyrus of Qenna References Further reading Halbertsma, R. B. (2003). Scholars, Travellers, and Trade: The Pioneer Years of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden, 1818-1840, Routledge. External links Official website in Dutch Official website in English Virtual tour of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden provided by Google Arts & Culture 1743 establishments in Europe Archaeological museums in the Netherlands National museums of the Netherlands Museums in Leiden Egyptological collections Museums of ancient Greece in the Netherlands Museums of ancient Rome in the Netherlands Museums of Ancient Near East in Europe Netherlands, Rijksmuseum Van Oudheden