Adapted from Ms. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY

Much like Spain and Portugal, the Dutch went through a period of strength and power, only to be surpassed by countries such as England and FranceMuch like Spain and Portugal, the Dutch went through a period of strength and power, only to be surpassed by countries such as England and France

The Netherland s: The “Low Country”

Unique political model A mostly tolerant attitude towards religion in the country Stable, thriving economy Artists and thinkers  Connection between religion and everyday life were recurring themes in their art Factors of the Dutch “Golden Age”:

The Netherlands (1609)

After the rebellions against Spain in the 16 th century (William of Orange, etc.) the United Provinces of the Netherlands operated as a formal RepublicAfter the rebellions against Spain in the 16 th century (William of Orange, etc.) the United Provinces of the Netherlands operated as a formal Republic Distrust of Monarchy, except in wartimeDistrust of Monarchy, except in wartime Provinces retained power, and central government (States General) ruled through negotiationProvinces retained power, and central government (States General) ruled through negotiation Holland was the most powerful provinceHolland was the most powerful province

The Dutch Federation REGENTS - provincial level - held virtually all the power - strong advocates of local independence STADHOLDER - States General representative from each province - Responsible for defense and order - One man often took power as “Staadholder” STATES GENERAL - federal assembly - foreign affairs (war) - all issues had to be referred to the local Estates

Religious Toleration Traditionally Protestant (Calvinist Reform Church)Traditionally Protestant (Calvinist Reform Church) Significant numbers of Catholics, Jews, and other Protestant sectsSignificant numbers of Catholics, Jews, and other Protestant sects Did not try to impose religious beliefs, although Catholics couldn’t hold office or worship openlyDid not try to impose religious beliefs, although Catholics couldn’t hold office or worship openly No religious-based warfare, as in other countries of the time periodNo religious-based warfare, as in other countries of the time period Led to stability and prosperityLed to stability and prosperity

Oude Kerk [Old Church], Amsterdam First built in 1300.

Interior of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam - Emmanuel De Witt

Portrait of an Old Jewish Man Rembrandt, 1654

Catholic “Hidden” Church in the Attic, Amsterdam, 1630s

Dutch were the most urbanized society in EuropeDutch were the most urbanized society in Europe Port cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam were cosmopolitan “melting-pots”Port cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam were cosmopolitan “melting-pots”

Strong sense of national unity and purpose created by rebellions against Spanish controlStrong sense of national unity and purpose created by rebellions against Spanish control Wealth determined status, merchant class dominated social structure as opposed to an entrenched nobilityWealth determined status, merchant class dominated social structure as opposed to an entrenched nobility Town militias were important places for wealthy men to meet and show civic prideTown militias were important places for wealthy men to meet and show civic pride

The Night Watch – Rembrandt, 1642

Generally higher salaries than in any other parts of W. Europe  Even women had higher wages “Protestant work ethic”  Thrift, frugality, economic success were highly valued Had the highest standard of living in Europe!

Foundations of the Dutch Economy: Import/Export - diamonds, linens, pottery, flowers Masters of the “carrying trade” (ideal location, lowest shipping rates in Europe) ShipbuildingFinance Not much inflation Cheap energy (windmills, peat) Migration of skilled workers (Spain, Belgium, France, etc.) Great Dutch land reclamation project was accelerated during this time: Increased agricultural yields, especially beef, dairy, etc.

Art often reflected these ideas: “genre” paintings, seascapes, etc.Art often reflected these ideas: “genre” paintings, seascapes, etc. Beware of Luxury – Jan Steen

Upper-class Homes, Amsterdam Early 1600s

The Burgher of Delft & His Daughter – Jan Steen

View of Doerdrecht Aelbert Cuyp, 1650s

Still Life with Gilt Goblet William Heda, 1635 “Genre” Painting

The Leiden Baker & His Wife Jan Steen

A Young Woman with a Water Jug - Jan Vermeer, 1662

Girl with a Pearl Earring Jan Vermeer, 1665

The Dutch also possessed a vast and prosperous overseas empireThe Dutch also possessed a vast and prosperous overseas empire Traded throughout East Asia (India, Indonesia, China etc.)Traded throughout East Asia (India, Indonesia, China etc.) Also possessed land in the New World and Africa, monopoly on Japanese tradeAlso possessed land in the New World and Africa, monopoly on Japanese trade Dutch East India Company dominated the spice tradeDutch East India Company dominated the spice trade

17c Dutch Global Commerce

Dutch East India Company, 1602

Dutch East India Ship, mid- 17c

Return of the Dutch East India Fleet, 1599

Amsterdam Stock Market (Bourse) Emmanuel De Witte, 1653 Jewish refugees helped found it in 1602.

Sampling Officials of the Drapers Guild – Rembrandt

The Lace Maker Nicolaes Maes

The Lace Maker Jan Vermeer,

The Account Keeper Nicolaes Maes, 1656

A Woman Holding a Balance Jan Vermeer, 1662

View of Delft Jan Vermeer,

Dutch Delftware English Delftware

18c Delftware Tobacco Jars

Dutch West India Company, 1621 Netherland Antilles

Fort Orange (Albany, NY) in New Netherlands

New Amsterdam (NYC) Settled in Official Flag of the NYC Seal of the City of NY. Official Flag of the NYC Seal of the City of NY.

New Amsterdam (NYC) Early 20c Dutch Revival Building in NYC.

“Africa” Center Panel Jan van der Heyden,

The Dutch in Japan, 18c

Dutch Ship in Nagasaki Late 18c

Along with commercial dominance, the Dutch were world leaders in science and educationAlong with commercial dominance, the Dutch were world leaders in science and education Lack of central authority mean no church could dominate intellectual lifeLack of central authority mean no church could dominate intellectual life Universities such as Leiden and Groningen were some of the leading institutions in EuropeUniversities such as Leiden and Groningen were some of the leading institutions in Europe Leading philosophers and scientists made their home in the NetherlandsLeading philosophers and scientists made their home in the Netherlands

University of Leiden, 1575

University of Gröningen, 1614

René Descartes The French philosopher lived in Leiden from 1628 to 1649.

Dutch Optics: The Telescope Most agree that the telescope was invented by Hans Lippershey in 1608.

Astronomical Pioneer: Christiaan Huygens RExplanation of Saturn’s rings. RWave theory of light.

Anton van Leeuwenhoek: The Microscope & the Discovery of Micro-Organisms

Anatomy Lecture of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp – Rembrandt, 1632

(detail) Anatomy Lecture of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp – Rembrandt, 1632

The Astronomer Jan Vermeer, 1668

The Geographer Jan Vermeer,

Girl Reading a Letter with the Window Open - Jan Vermeer, 1657

The Music Lesson Jan Vermeer,

By the late 17 th century, the Dutch economy had begun to slumpBy the late 17 th century, the Dutch economy had begun to slump A series of wars against the British, French, and Germans weakened their powerA series of wars against the British, French, and Germans weakened their power They lost control of overseas possessionsThey lost control of overseas possessions Disunity within the provinces hastened the decline – lack of a staadholderDisunity within the provinces hastened the decline – lack of a staadholder Nations such as England and France rose to prominenceNations such as England and France rose to prominence