Dutch Golden Age 17th Century

In the 17th century, the Dutch experienced a Golden Age where they flourished in trade, science, military and art. As the Dutch were predominantly protestant there was very little religious paintings commissioned at this time. Instead the artist made works of art in order to sell to middle class society in order to decorate their homes.

New categories of painting emerged:
Landscape painting
Still life painting
Genre painting (scenes of everyday life)

Key figures:
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-69), Self Portrait, 1629
Johannes Vermeer (1632-75), Lady Writing a Letter with her Maid, c. 1970

 


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