An exhibit of Monet reveals the formative influence of Japanese art. Biographers offer varying accounts of that first Japanese print he bought: it was in Amsterdam, or Delft or Zaandam.

One day in 1871, legend has it, a French artist named Claude Monet walked into a food shop in Amsterdam, where he had gone to escape the Prussian siege of Paris. There he spotted some Japanese prints being used as wrapping paper. He was so taken by the engravings that…

A band of Dutchmen formed a group trying to influence U.S. votes in the upcoming elections. “The U.S. President meddles in our affairs. We should meddle in his,” says the organizer.

THE NETHERLANDS

By all accounts there are plenty of Americans who have decided not to vote at all in next month’s presidential election — and lots of others who wish they did not feel that they have to. Across the Atlantic, however, there is a band of Dutchmen who would like…

To help princess Marijke, who was born with cataracts on both eyes, Queen Juliana asked healer Greet Hofmans, whose influence over Queen Juliana grew over the years.

“We have no desire to enter the private life of the royal family,” announced a leading Hague newspaper primly one day last week. “The Queen’s living room at least should be out of the sight and hearing of those who have nothing to do in there,” echoed another. Thus gingerly…