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The Dutch Golden Age was a period in Dutch history, generally spanning the 17th century, in which Dutch trade, science, and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. The painters of this era have left a profound legacy. Primary classifications for this painting era are: Combinations of these categories occurred. Allegories, in which painted objects conveyed symbolic meaning about the subject, were often applied. For instance, a still life might include a skull, an hourglass and a snuffed out candle, symbols which all emphasized mortality. Seasons were often indicated by human activities that were typical for that time of the year (skating, sowing, harvesting, etc). Paintings often had a moralistic message hidden under the surface.
Historical paintings This category comprises not only paintings that depicted real historical events, but also paintings that showed biblical, mythological, literary and allegorical scenes. Large dramatic historical or biblical scenes were produced less frequently than in other countries, where religious and noble patrons of art often sought to overawe the viewer. Dutch painters, especially in the northern provinces, tried instead to invoke emotion on the part of the viewer by letting him/her be a bystander on a scene of profound intimacy. As such Rembrandt and Rubens are striking examples of large differences in style between Dutch painters from the northern Low Countries, the Dutch Republic, and Flanders in the south. Many great Dutch painters were inspired and influenced by Italian painters during their formative years. Copies of Italian masterpieces circulated and suggested certain compositional schemes. Dutch painters became absolute masters of the treatment of light, which could partly be traced back to Italian predecessors, notably Caravaggio. Some Dutch painters also travelled to Italy to make firsthand observations. (Group) portraits
Scenes of every day life Many genre paintings, which seemingly only depicted everyday life, actually illustrated Dutch proverbs and sayings, or conveyed a moralistic message, the meaning of which is not always easy to decipher in modern times. All walks of life were shown. Today these genre paintings provide many insights into the daily life of 17th century citizens of all classes. Landscapes and cityscapes Landscape painting was a major genre in the 17th century. Flemish landscapes (particularly from Antwerp) of the 16th century first served as an example. These had been not particularly realistic, having been painted mostly in the studio, partly from imagination. Soon this trend changed, and real Dutch landscapes became prevalent. Drawings were made on site. Horizons were lowered, which made it possible to emphasize the often impressive cloud formations that were (and are) so typical in the climate of the region, and which cast a different light. Favourite topics were the dunes along the western sea coast, rivers with their broad adjoining meadows where cattle grazed, often with a silhouette of a city in the distance. Winter landscapes with frozen canals and creeks also abounded. The sea was a favourite topic as well since the Low Countries depended on the it for trade, battled with it for new land and battled on it with competing nations. Pictures of sea battles told the stories of a Dutch navy at the peak of its glory. Architecture also fascinated the Dutch, churches in particular. The exterior and interior of buildings were reproduced faithfully. During the century insights into the proper rendering of perspective grew and were enthusiastically applied. Still lifes Still lifes were a great opportunity to show one's aptitude in painting textures and surfaces in great detail and with realistic light effects. Food of all kinds laid out on a table, silver cutlery, intricate patterns and subtle folds in table cloths and flowers all challenged, minor flow inprovement painters. Painters from Leiden particularly excelled in the genre. The most famous Dutch painters of the 17th century were: Ferdinand Bol, Albert Cuyp, Gerard Dou, Willem Drost, Carel Fabritius, Govert Flinck, Jan van Goyen, Frans Hals, Pieter de Hooch, Pieter Pieterszoon Lastman, Jan Lievens, Nicolaes Maes, Adriaen van Ostade, Paulus Potter, Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, Pieter Saenredam, Jan Steen, Johannes Vermeer. | ||||||||||
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