The Dutch Golden Age was a period of history in the 17th century in which the Netherlands’ resources were the most celebrated in Europe. These advancements occurred in science, trade, and even art. Dutch artists produced new styles and techniques. Opposed to the traditional religious paintings done in the Renaissance, these painters focused on everyday people and life. All of these improvements affected one another. For example, as an increase in foreign produce appeared, new variations of still lifes developed, presenting tables full of exotic foods. Not all the Dutch area held the same art styles, as artists would develop distinct specialties, methods, and subject matters. Due to its huge success in trade, Amsterdam became the main artistic area in the Netherlands. Portraits were the main type of paintings demanded there. In the city of Utrecht, chiaroscuro was utilized by a group of artists. This was inspired by the Italian artist Caravaggio. At the same time, the art of still lifes was generated in Antwerp. At the time of the Golden Age, political and religious issues separated the nation into two. The Netherlands turned into a Protestant area and Flanders, currently, a portion of Belgium remained the Catholic religion. One specific artist, Aelbert Cuyp, used his art to show this period and all the unrest that came with it. Genre painting was most utilized by Dutch artists. These everyday scenes commonly symbolized Dutch sayings or phrases. One major genre artist, Jan Steen, used his art to show chaotic scenes of drunkenness. His pieces portray emotions of playfulness, but also warn of the dangers and consequences of drinking an excessive amount of alcohol. A major reason why religious paintings weren’t done was that the Protestants banned the illustrations for their churches. As a result, the Dutch artists and wealthy merchants had to think of ideas for what the new art could look like for clients. In the majority of cases, small-scale paintings would be commissioned for an individual’s home. The Dutch Golden Age provided some of the most recognizable artists of the 17th century. The rich history intertwined with these pieces will never be forgotten.
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