Series of live lectures which can be given separately:
Holland’s Golden Age Revealed, Introduction to the Art of 17th century Holland
The Golden Age was a period in Dutch history, rouglhy spanning the 17th century, in which the Dutch were a major world power and leaders in trade and science but also in art. The paintings produced by Dutch artists are considered some of the greatest work of art in the world. This serie of lectures will nog only indtroduce you to the art of this dynamic period but will also talk about the history and culture that brought this art to fruition.
The series can be given in five sessions but can also be done separately. It is also suitable as a study day. Each lecture will concentrate on one of live categories of art which were produced: History, Portraits, Genre, Landscape and Still life and Architectural. As well as talking about the artists, their subjects and style, we will explore what caused this explosion of art and why diferent kinds of painting such as genre and landscape became such specialities of the Dutch. We will then set them in their historical and cultural background. Not only the great masters Rembrandt, Vermeer en Frans Hals will be discussed but many of the minor masters as they have come to be called will also be included. We will see that they are in fact very talented in their own right.
Each lecture concentrates on one of five categories of art:
1. Intimacies and Intrigues! History painting
As Tolstoi said: ”Art is a human activity having for its purpose the transmission to others of the highest and best feelings to which men have risen.” This certainly describes the purpose of history paintings which can be defined as a painting in which the human figure plays the main role and subject matter is religious, mythological, historical, literary or allegorical This category was considered the highest category of art. So many artists aspired to do this such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. In the first lecture we will explore who, how and why these were painted
2. Who’s Who? Portrait painting
Portraits are a very special phenomenon in 17th century Holland Never before were so many portraits produced, but the booming economy created a wealthy burger class who were proud of what they had achieved and wanted their portraits done. Dutch artists captured these people and the these works have become masterpieces – just think of the Night Watch..
3. Reality Show or Illusion? Genre painting
Genre paintings refer to scenes of everyday life, a sort of ´tableau vivant´ and are probably one of the most popular categories of Dutch 17th century art. In this talk we will also learn that there is much more to the eye than just a scene of everyday life. Symbolic meanings, double entendres and moral messages were included in these seemingly innocent compositions.
4. Mirrors of Reality! Landscape painting
The development of landscape painting in Holland must be counted among one of the most prominent contributions to the history of European art. In fact, the Dutch are considered to have started the naturalistic landscape style.
5. Objects of Desire! Still life and Architectural Painting
These two specialties of Dutch 17th century art with their attention to the representation of different textures and illusionism are some of the most admired works of this period. Showing the originality of Dutch painters, we will also explore the symbolism and the ability of art to triumph over nature