By the 18th century, the heyday of the arts in the Netherlands was over, but in its place came a fascination for all that was going on in other European countries.
Never before had so much attention been paid to the domestic interior. The home became a work of art in which each element was connected in some way with the others: from the ceiling decoration to the fireplace, furniture, candlesticks and tableware. Artists made objects in the latest style, and styles evolved rapidly – from the flamboyance of rococo to the clean lines of classicism.
In this century people had a passion for the beauty of their own surroundings, as we can see clearly in the portraits they commissioned.
Change was on its way, however: towards the end of the century in the Netherlands there was a growing resistance to the elite, and an enthusiasm for the French revolution.
See the Rijksstudio collection with a selection of the art that will be discussed in this episode.
