BIOGRAPHY
Dutch painting flourished in the Golden Age, largely coinciding with the 17th century. Demand for paintings increased enormously and painters had to distinguish themselves from each other. This led to great artistic dynamism and the development of their own style. The dominant style followed Italian movements such as the Baroque and Caravaggism, but gradually, under the influence of Calvinism, tended more towards a subdued realism. This style of painting would eventually be labelled as typically ‘Dutch’. In parallel, classicism and mannerism were also influential. Thematically, the boom in 17th-century Dutch painting was expressed in almost all genres. Historical and biblical scenes, often allegorically elaborated, portraits (both individual and group portraits), domestic scenes, interiors, landscapes, townscapes, seascapes and still lifes: almost every subject had its own heyday. The main Dutch painters of the Golden Age are Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals, sometimes complemented by names such as Jacob van Ruisdael and Jan Steen. To the present day, painting from that period is considered one of the most important trademarks and attractions of the Netherlands.