Named retrospectively, the Golden Age was a period when the new Dutch
Republic had become the most prosperous nation in Europe, leading in
trade, science and art. From 1600 for almost a century, more than four
million paintings were produced there, and the accomplishments in
realism and naturalism by a large number of Dutch artists were
unprecedented. These artists painted life as had never been seen before;
their technical skills were often outstanding, and their art was
distinctive in its depiction of lifelike objects, places and people of
all ages and backgrounds. Unlike traditional Flemish and Italian Baroque
paintings, Dutch artists in general avoided idealisation or portrayals
of splendour, and instead developed their own unique and innovative
styles, themes and subjects. The first section of this detailed book
considers all this in a biographical guide to some of the greatest Dutch
Golden Age artists and their work. Roughly chronological in order, it
explains who the painters were, where they lived and worked, who and
what taught and influenced them, and why their work was often
groundbreaking. Among many others, included are Frans Hals, Rembrandt,
Nicolaes Maes, Jan Lievens, Judith Leyster, Gerrit Dou, Gerrit van
Honthorst, Adriaen Brouwer, Jan Steen, Hendrick Avercamp, Jacob van
Ruisdael, Pieter de Hooch, Johannes Vermeer and Rachel Ruysch. While
most are discussed, some do not appear, as even in this substantial
book, there is room for only a proportion of the exceptionally
proficient painters of the period. The second part of the book is a
gallery of outstanding works from a range of Dutch Golden Age artists,
grouped into the broad themes of landscapes, portraits, genre, history
and religion, and still life - giving a fascinating, colourful and
in-depth overview of what constituted the art of the period. With more
than 500 reproductions, you can dip in and out of this beautifully
illustrated volume, or peruse it from cover to cover. All paintings are
located to their museum or gallery. This volume is essential reading for
anyone who would like to learn more about the extraordinary flowering of
art during the Dutch Golden Age, and a book that you will turn to over
and again.
