Art History of the Netherlands - First half of the 17th century

01/01/2022 - Rijksmuseum

In the 17th century, the Netherlands broke free from Spanish rule and exchanged Catholicism for Protestantism. In the same period, ships from the Northern Netherlands sailed to Asia for the first time in search of spices. This led to the founding of the Dutch East India Company, marking the beginning of an unequal relationship that was to continue for centuries. This gave a huge boost to the economy, and with it to the arts.

In this episode, you’ll see how artists began to specialise, creating new genres, such as still life or landscape. One of them was Hendrik Avercamp, a master painter of skaters in wintry landscapes.

You’ll also see how artists developed their own style. Frans Hals’s bold brushstrokes, for example, made him very popular with his clients, the well-to-do citizens of Haarlem. Then of course there was Rembrandt, a non-specialist by nature: he wanted to be able to do everything, from biblical stories to portraits.

See the Rijksstudio collection with a selection of the art that will be discussed in this episode.

The Incredulity of Thomas Hendrick ter Brugghen (c. 1588–1629), oil on canvas, c. 1622

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Interior of the Sint-Odulphuskerk in Assendelft Pieter Jansz Saenredam (1597–1665), oil on panel, 1649

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Still Life with Cheese Floris Claesz van Dijck (1575–1651), oil on panel, c. 1615

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Winter Landscape with Ice Skaters Hendrick Avercamp (1585–1634), oil on panel, c. 1608

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Portrait of a Married Couple, Likely Isaac Abrahamsz Massa and Beatrix van der Laen oil on canvas, c. 1622

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The Serenade Judith Leyster (1609–1660), oil on panel, 1629

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The Night Watch Militia Company of District II under the Command of Captain Frans Banninck Cocq Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), oil on canvas, 1642

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In this episode

Middle Ages: what’s in this and the other episodes?

Host - Frits Scholten, Curator of Sculpture

Renaissance: what’s in this episode?

Host - Ilona van Tuinen, Head of the Print Room

First half of the 17th century: what’s in this episode?

Host - Taco Dibbits, General Director

Second half of the 17th century: what’s in this episode?

Host - Femke Diercks, Head of Decorative Arts

18th century: what’s in this episode?

Host - Reinier Baarsen, Curator of Furniture

19th century: what’s in this episode?

Host - Jenny Reynaerts, Curator of 18th- and 19th-century Paintings

20th century: what’s in this episode?

Host - Ludo van Halem, Curator of 20th-Century Art