As we delve into the world of the Dutch Golden Age through artistic canvases, we discover not only beauty and artistry, but also the secret life hidden behind every brush stroke. In this looking glass of reality, amazing aspects of everyday life are revealed, remaining unknown to many. Let's dive into this wonderful world and uncover the veil of secrecy in the paintings of the Dutch masters, recreating the stories they captured in their works. Also, the theme of Dutch still life has already been revealed, for your reference.

Hidden Subtexts and Unseen Stories: The Dutch Golden Age on Canvas

"Dutch paintings are like a magical window into an era where everyday life is transformed into eternal moments." - Jan Vermeer

 

 

By the end of the 19th century, the masterpieces of many artists from the Dutch Golden Age had sunk into oblivion, gathering dust in dark corners or even being burned. After all, what could be less attractive than endless scenes of aristocrats playing music and clumsy peasants seen in a state of intoxication? The art of quiet interior scenes with thoughtful young people, austere landscapes with mills and cows, and an abundance of flowers on tables could hardly have aroused interest at the end of the 19th century. Even today, museum visitors often glance indifferently at gallant gentlemen, prim ladies, maids in kitchen settings and elegant banquets.

But why did the 17th century Dutch value these paintings so much? Were nobles and commoners ready to shell out a lot of money just for the skill with which the artists depicted everyday life? No. Painting from the Dutch Golden Age is not an ordinary reflection of the world, but through the looking glass with many details that reveal unexpected stories and meanings.

You just need to know how to decipher them.

Land of water and wind

Look at the map of Europe. There, where a chain of islands stretches along the coast of the North Sea, looking like a fluttering maiden tail. Now zoom in and see how the predatory fingers of the sea dig into the land and crumble it like a dry biscuit. Even closer - thin channels penetrate into the body of the continent, snaking in bizarre patterns, like a web of bluish veins under thin skin. This is the Netherlands, “the land of water and wind” or, literally, “low lands”.

They say that God created the world, and the Dutch created the Netherlands. For centuries, the inhabitants of this country have conquered the water element through hard work and constant vigilance. Geography shaped their life, history and culture, but the waters and winds of the sea were also a boon - resources that played a key role in the success of the state in the 17th century. This period marked the heyday of the Netherlands, both economically and artistically.

Adrian van de Velde, "The Coast at Scheveningen", 1658

 

In fact, the period called the "Dutch Golden Age" lasted between ninety and sixty years. It all depends on what to take as a starting point - the declaration of independence of the Northern Provinces from Spain in 1581, the founding of the Dutch East India Company in 1602, or the beginning of the Twelve Years' Truce in the Eighty Years' War in 1609 (the conflict officially ended only 39 years later signing of the Munster Peace Treaty). But the ending is clearly marked - 1672, when France invaded the Netherlands.

 

Gerard Terborch the Younger, "Signing of the Treaty of Munster" (1648). On the left are the Dutch delegates with their fingers raised, on the right are the Spaniards with their hands on the Gospel.

It is surprising that the unpretentious Dutch, hardened by work and political adversity, literally adored painting. Foreigners in the 17th century were amazed by the interest of the country's inhabitants in art. The Englishman Peter Mundy wrote in 1640: “As for painting and the affection of people for paintings, I think no one else can compare with them...”.

Reflection of Life: Revealing the Secrets of the Golden Age through Paintings

"On the canvases of Dutch masters, the mystery of everyday life is revealed in the splendor of detail." - Rembrandt 

 

 

During the Golden Age in Holland, it is estimated that millions of works of superb quality were created. During this period, more than a thousand artists worked in the country, and some became the greatest of all time.

Guardians of lands and souls

Dark ominous clouds are carried away beyond the horizon, and warm rays of sunshine envelop the wings of a windmill. She, like a guard, observes the flow of everyday life: a mother and child walk to the river, where a woman, kneeling, washes clothes, and her movements create ripples on the smooth surface of the water. The rowers are transported by boat to the opposite shore. In the distance, cows and sheep graze peacefully.

Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn, "The Mill"

 

Perhaps nothing symbolizes the Netherlands more than windmills. Today there are just under a thousand of them left, but at one time there were ten times more. In the 17th century, they not only ground grain and spices, but also sawed wood, ground pigments for paints and, until recently, used them to regulate water levels in inland areas.

The painting by Rembrandt van Rijn depicts a turning mill - its wings were attached to a wooden box, which was supported on a vertical stand. The entire upper structure rotated with the wind on a rotating platform. Such mills were also called “postal”: the miller could send various messages by setting the blades in a certain position. Similarly, during World War II, residents were warned about Nazi raids and the need to hide in shelters.

 

Rembrandt's father owned a grain mill near Leiden. It can be assumed that it is she who is depicted in this painting. However, the changes that the artist made to the landscape (for example, painting and then removing a bridge) indicate that he did not have a specific mill in mind, but a certain symbol. In the 17th century in the Netherlands, windmills had several meanings. Someone drew parallels between the movement of wings and the moral path of human souls. And the structures that drained the fields were considered guardians of the land and its people.

 

During the period in which Rembrandt painted this painting, historical and cultural references to the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain can be found in many of the landscapes. It is impossible to say for sure whether there is a political statement in this image of dignity and calm in the sun after a storm. But the plot of the canvas can be interpreted as a triumph of peace and hope for the prosperity of the new republic, where people live without wars and fears.

The mystical side of art: Secrets of the Dutch masters

"Dutch artists magically transform everyday life, giving us a painting of life in all its beauty and diversity." - Jan Vermeer

 

Dutch paintings from the 17th century may seem to reflect life truthfully, but in fact they combine reality and fiction equally. Artists violated traditions and took liberties to illustrate common proverbs or mottos and to give a moral assessment of the morals and actions of their heroes. The result was a huge number of works, extremely original in approach and diverse in subject matter.

Jan Steen, Leiden baker Arent Ostward and his wife Katharina Kaysersward (1658). Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

 

Paintings were ordered and purchased not only by wealthy businessmen. Passionate collectors included bakers, shoemakers, butchers and blacksmiths, as well as civil institutions - city guards, guilds, and various societies.

Thus, a new type of patronage arose in the Netherlands, different from the general European one - painters were patronized not only by clergy, aristocrats or rich people. This explains the popularity of everyday subjects, their appearance, and the way paintings were painted and distributed.

Rembrandt Harmens van Rijn, "The Syndics, or Portrait of Selected Members of the Clothmakers' Guild"

 

The collection of wealthy citizens often included 10-15 paintings in addition to engravings and detailed maps. Initially, the paintings were of modest size, but with the growing wealth of connoisseurs, the scale increased. Over time, images began to be hung on walls to make them easier to view. The most significant ones were exhibited in publicly accessible rooms—living rooms or reception rooms.

 

In "A Woman Reading a Letter" (1667) by Gabriel Metsu, a "painting within a painting" expands the narrative: drawing back the curtain from the stormy marina, the maid hints to her mistress that love is like troubled waters.

 

In the painting “Card Players in a Sunny Room” (1658) by Pieter de Hooch, the landscape on the wall only confirms that in the 17th century in Holland even modestly furnished rooms were decorated with paintings.

By the way, until the middle of the century, the rooms in a typical Dutch middle-class house had common functions. The beds could be in the hallways, kitchens, or anywhere else. But then the purpose of the premises became divided - and this was reflected in the selection of paintings. Thus, domestic and religious scenes hung in the interior chambers, and landscapes and city views hung in the guest rooms.

In conclusion, although the works of most artists of the Dutch Golden Age may have seemed forgotten and unclaimed by the end of the 19th century, today we see something more in them. Behind those quiet moments of inner lives, behind the scenes of aristocracy and peasant labors, we discover the abiding grandeur and depth of human experience. These paintings, which seemed simple and even boring, now become a window into the past, giving us a unique opportunity to look into the looking glass of that era. The Dutch Golden Age on canvas is not just a reflection of the life of its time, but also the eternal questions facing humanity, which remain relevant today.

In the next topic we will dive deeper into the fascinating world of the great artists of Dutch art. We'll look at their skills in creating portraits, landscapes and still lifes, and also talk about how their works became symbols of the Dutch Golden Age. Prepare yourself for an exciting journey into the world of art, where each artist has left an indescribable mark that captures the spirit of the times and eternal values.

Our catalog presents a variety of carinas of various genres and eras, allowing everyone to find a work of art to suit their taste and interests. From exquisite portraits and landscapes to abstract compositions, our paintings cover a wide range of creative expressions. Epochs from antiquity to modern times are represented in our range, providing the opportunity to immerse yourself in different times and styles of art. Regardless of your preferences, you will find in our catalog a piece that will inspire you and give you a unique experience in the world of grace and beauty.