To kick off Dutch Week at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, we've put together a curation of some common genres that can be found in seventeenth-century Dutch paintings.
The formation of the Dutch Republic in 1581 brought about a new era of prosperity for the Dutch, after years of rule under Spain. The country was able to forge a new cultural identity based firmly on Protestant principles and utopian ideals. They established successful trade routes and became and economic powerhouse. This period of prosperity also produced a new art market where artists produced works for diverse audiences rather than just the ruling elite, allowing artists to be creative, patriotic, critical, and satirical.
Hendrick Mommers (1623–1693)
Oil on canvas
H 84.5 x W 120.5 cm
National Trust, Dyrham Park
Aelbert Cuyp (1620–1691) (imitator of)
Oil on canvas
H 80 x W 104 cm
Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery
A Boy and a Girl with a Cat and an Eel about 1635
Judith Leyster (1609–1660)
Oil on oak
H 59.4 x W 48.8 cm
The National Gallery, London
Interior of the Nieuwe Kerk, Delft c.1828
Hendrick Cornelisz. van Vliet (c.1611–1675) (follower of)
Oil on canvas
H 28 x W 23 cm
Astley Hall Museum and Art Gallery
Flower Piece with Tulips, Roses, Convolvuli and Other Flowers 1677
Nicolaes van Verendael (1640–1691)
Oil on canvas
H 51 x W 38.5 cm
National Trust, Nostell Priory
Jan van Zoon (1661–1702)
Oil on wood
H 51 x W 65.7 cm
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum
The Virtuous Woman c.1655
Nicolaes Maes (1634–1693)
Oil on canvas
H 74.7 x W 60.5 cm
The Wallace Collection
The Dissolute Household 1660s
Jan Steen (1625/1626–1679)
Oil on canvas
H 80.5 x W 89 cm
English Heritage, The Wellington Collection, Apsley House
