The Netherlands in the 17 th Century

FRANS HALS, Archers of Saint Hadrian, c Oil on canvas, approx. 6’ 9” x 11’. Frans Halsmuseum, Haarlem.

Frans Hals, The Merry Drinker, c Oil on canvas, 81 x 66.5 cm. (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam)

Frans Hals, Portrait of Lucas de Clercq, c Oil on canvas, x 93 cm (Rijksmuseum Amsterdam) Frans Hals, Portrait of Feyntje van Steenkiste, Oil on canvas, 123 x 93 cm (Rijksmuusem, Amsterdam)

REMBRANDT VAN RIJN, Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Tulp, Oil on canvas, 5’ 3 3/4” x 7’ 1 1/4”. Mauritshuis, The Hague

REMBRANDT VAN RIJN, The Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq (The Night Watch), Oil on canvas, 11’ 11” x 14’ 4”. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Rembrandt, Self Portrait, c Oil on panel, 22.6 x 18 cm. (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam) Rembrandt, Self Portrait, c. 1659–1660. Oil on canvas, approx. 3’ 8 3/4” x 3’ 1”. (Kenwood House, London)

REMBRANDT VAN RIJN, Return of the Prodigal Son, ca Oil on canvas, approx. 8’ 8” x 6’ 9”. Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg

Rembrandt, Two Women Teaching a Child to Walk, c Red chalk on paper, 10.3 x 12.8 cm (British Museum, London)  Rembrandt, The Three Trees, Etching, 21.3 x 27.9 cm (multiple locations)  Rembrandt, Christ Healing the Sick or The Hundred Guilder Print, c Etching, 11 x 15 ¼ in. (multiple locations)

JACOB VAN RUISDAEL, View of Haarlem from the Dunes at Overveen, ca Oil on canvas, 1’ 10” x 2’ 1”. Mauritshuis, The Hague

Jan Vermeer, Officer and Laughing Girl, Oil on canvas, 1’ 7 7/8” x 1’ 6 1/8 in. (Frick Collection, New York)

Jan Vermeer, Young Woman with a Water Pitcher, c Oil on canvas, in. (Metropolitan Museum) Jan Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring, c Oil on canvas, 18 ¼ x 15 ¼ in. (Mauritshuis, The Hague, Netherlands)

Pieter de Hooch, Woman and Child in a Pantry, c Oil on panel, 65 x 60.5 cm (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam) WILLEM KALF, Still Life with a Late Ming Ginger Jar, Oil on canvas, 2’ 6” x 2’ 1 3/4”. Indianapolis Museum of Art,

Seventeenth Century Key terms: Baroque: a style characterized by unified compositions that use depictions of motion, powerful drama, strong contrasts of light and dark, and a heightened sense of realism. Counter-reformation: a reform of the Catholic church, partly in response to the Protestant Reformation, that strengthened the central – and often more conservative – principles of the religion. Chiaroscuro: strong contrasts of light and dark; in most heightened form also known as tenebrism History painting: based on historical or sometimes mythical/fictional figures, usually large and ambitious in scale and significance Ideal landscape: characterized by a systematic compositional structure and forms that are less realistic, more imaginary; exemplified by the work of Claude Lorrain, which later became an influential model Key artists and ideas: Caravaggio (Italian): associated with chiaroscuro/tenebrism; ordinary people in religious or historical scenes; works were influential throughout Europe, followers were known as caravaggisti Artemisia Gentileschi (Italian): prominent woman artist, adopted Caravaggio’s style; associated with painting Judith Beheading Holofernes Gianlorenzo Bernini (Italian): associated with powerful, active forms in architecture and sculpture; worked principally for popes in Rome

Key artists and ideas (continued): Francisco de Zurbaran (Spanish): adopted Caravaggio’s style; known principally for depictions of religious faith Diego Velazquez (Spanish): court painter to King Philip IV; emphasis on naturalism; visual and intellectual complexity of Las Meninas Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish): worked in several European courts; powerful figures in dramatic situations; best example of Baroque style Nicolas Poussin (French): worked in Rome; developed idealized images inspired by classical Greek/Roman history and forms Claude Lorrain (French): primarily a landscapist; idealized, Italianate views with logical, systematic compositions Term: Dutch Golden Age: the 17 th century, during which independence from Spain was achieved, trade routes and colonies were established, and economic prosperity allowed large middle class to become important patrons of art Frans Hals (Dutch): portraitist; known for lively brushwork and subtle use of many shades of black paint Rembrandt (Dutch): worked in painting, etching, and drawing, in almost every genre (portraiture, Biblical scenes, landscape, everyday life); developed from early, more finished work to later, more roughly painted, expressive work Vermeer (Dutch): interested in light, detail, scientific accuracy; meaning in his work is often enigmatic and open to interpretation