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17th Century Dutch Paintings

Architecture Wing

Dutch Golden Age Architecture

Dutch East India Ship

Artifact Wing

Scale Models

Scale Model of the Dutch Royal PalaceScale Model of the Dutch Royal Palace

Science Wing

The 17th Century : The “Dutch” Century

Early in the 17th Century, the Dutch had some conflict between opposing religious groups, however, by the end of the century religions including Catholics, Protestants and Jewish lived peacefully throughout the country. The Dutch used religion and everyday life as common themes in art including this painting by Rembrandt Portrait of an Old Man in Red.

Dutch Economy The Dutch were known for being masters of the “carrying trade” especially since they had the lowest shipping rates in all of Europe. Just like the famous Girl with the pearl earring by Vermeer, the Dutch were known for exporting luxury items including diamonds, pottery and linens. The economy did not experience much inflation which gave the Dutch a chance to initiate the land reclamation project which helped gain land from the below sea level area.

Quality of Life in Holland

• The Dutch had the highest standard of living in Europe in the 17th century.

Still Life with Gilt GobletStill Life with Gilt GobletWilliam Heda, 1635William Heda, 1635

Dutch Global CommerceDutch Global Commerce

Homes for the Upper Class found Homes for the Upper Class found in Amsterdamin Amsterdam

Leiden CanalLeiden Canal

Oude Kerk [Old Church], AmsterdamOude Kerk [Old Church], Amsterdam

Prior to the Dutch Golden Age, the Portuguese monopolized the trade routes of the world. The first of the Dutch to reach the Spice Islands was a group led by Cornelis de Houtman. There, they found West Java, an island known for its pepper. While the Dutch looked to create a positive trade relationship, the Indonesians and Portuguese disliked the Dutch infringement. The Dutch then sailed to northern Java, yet half the crew was killed in a Japanese attack. After all this, Houtman was able to sail back to make a positive profit.

During the Golden Age of the Dutch, the East India Company had a positive relationship with the Chinese and their famous porcelain pieces in the early 1600s. At the time, the highest class could only afford these imports, but when the trade was interrupted by the death of a Chinese emperor, Dutch potters began to create their own porcelain. In the town of Delft, the famous Delftware flourished and continues to be a staple of the Dutch beautiful exports.

Anton van Anton van Leeuwenhoek: Leeuwenhoek:

The Microscope & the The Microscope & the Discovery of Micro-Discovery of Micro-

OrganismsOrganisms

Influenced Galileo’s findings

University of University of Leiden,Leiden,

15751575

The largest university in the The largest university in the Protestant world at the time.Protestant world at the time.

The Dutch educational The Dutch educational system was free from the system was free from the restrains of the church restrains of the church therefore, many topics of therefore, many topics of interest could be studied interest could be studied without interference.without interference.

The Dutch FederationThe Dutch Federation

Regents•Held most power

• Promoters of local independence

Stadholders•In charge of defense and order

• One representative from each province

States General•Federal Assembly

•In charge of foreign affairs

(detail) Anatomy Lecture of (detail) Anatomy Lecture of Dr. Nicolaes TulpDr. Nicolaes Tulp – – Rembrandt, 1632Rembrandt, 1632

Because of the lack of religious influence in education, the Dutch excelled in studying the human body .

Dutch Optics: The Telescope – Dutch Optics: The Telescope – Hans LipperheyHans Lipperhey

Jan Vermeer and OpticsJan Vermeer and Optics

o It is thought that Vermeer used the use of new discovery in optics to help create his paintings. It is also thought that he would use these lenses to project his subject onto a canvas to be completely accurate.