Raleigh, N.C. — "Rembrandt in America," the largest exhibition of the Dutch painter's work ever presented in the United States, drew in huge crowds Saturday, the first day of the collection's final weekend at the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh.

The exhibit, which was 5 years in the making, opened in late October. Since then, more than 130,000 people have visited, a feat that museum spokeswoman Natalie Braswell considers a resounding success.

"It means we've done what we set out to do, which was to bring a collection of unprecedented size of the Rembrandt works to North Carolina," she said.

Gail George, of Pinehurst, said the exhibit was a glimpse into the 17th century.

"It takes me back to Rembrandt's time – to the colors, to the patinas, to the clothing, to the personalities," she said.

Leslie Hill said the rainy weather dampened her trip from Winston-Salem to Raleigh, but once she got inside the museum, all that annoyance just melted away.

"It's really great," she said. "I think it's fantastic. I've seen a few Rembrandts before in Europe, but never a collection like this."

The museum extended its hours Saturday until midnight for "Rembrandt in America," which is open Sunday for its final day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets at $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for children and free for students, children under 6 and new museum members.