Golden Age Of Dutch Art

Seventeenth-Century Holland has long taken its place as a Golden Age in the history of art. The new Dutch Republic, proud of its independence, its moral integrity and sense of Worth, turned to oil painting to express those values. Literally millions of paintings were produced for an eager (mostly middle-class) public. But that only partially explains the sudden explosion of genius that took place, and the amazing spirit of innovation that flourished in that century, a spirit evoked by such names as Rembrandt, Franz Hals, Vermeer, Ruisdael, Ter Borch, De Hooch, Cuyp, Steen, Fabritius and many more. To mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Dutch National Art Gallery (later the Rijksmuseum), it was decided to bring together all the greatest masterpieces of the Golden Age, both those that remained at home and those that had been dispersed throughout the world, to make a definitive exhibition celebrating that wonderful century. This book is a record of that exhibition and a way of giving it permanent form. All the exhibits are reproduced in colour and linked by brief commentaries providing information on the artists, their social background and patronage. It includes not only paintings but also examples of the applied arts of the time, from silver by the brothers Van Vianen and tapestries by François Spierings to exquisite pieces of Delftware. The artists featured here did more than produce great works : they embodied a whole world and way of life that still captivates and intrigues. The Golden Age of Dutch Art is a glorious testament to their achievements.