As guests took to their seats in the newly-revealed sculpture hall, Queen Máxima of The Netherlands made a surprise entrance through the gallery in a sequin gown and joined the glittering crowd of art curators, collectors and benefactors for dinner before unveiling the Tête Blanche sculpture by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle.
Damien Hirst was the next surprise appearance, albeit digitally, as the artist was in the United States installing an exhibition. Hirst told the room how ‘super proud’ he was to have his work – The Incredible Journey – featured in the new hall, explaining to the room how the zebra preserved in formaldehyde was inspired by Victorian ideas and the idea of collecting.
After dinner, Queen Máxima was taken on a tour of the sculpture garden by the director of the Stedelijk Museum – while the art crowd flocked to the dancefloor for pudding and cocktails – fuelling dancing well into the early hours.