Amsterdam
The name Amsterdam was first mentioned in 1275. One generation later, the young town was granted city rights, and from the very start flourished as a trade city. During the Golden Age of the Netherlands in the 17th century, Amsterdam became the wealthiest city in the world, surpassing even London and Paris.Ships from Amsterdam sailed to all continents, and the city was the leading financial centre. The rich merchants were also great patrons of art - consequently, the 17th century became the Golden Age of Dutch painting, too. The most famous master even then was Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn who had come to the city from his native Leiden.
The 18th and 19th century were a period of decline - yet even today, Amsterdam is the commercial as well as cultural hub of the Netherlands and one of the financial centres of Europe. Since 2010, the historic canal district has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Refinement in Vision
A group of painters from the city of Utrecht were influenced by Caravaggio and in turn influenced one of their colleagues: Rembrandt, one of the greatest painters ever. But he didn’t paint the “Man With the Golden Helmet” - as gamma rays reveal…▶ The Berlin Gemäldegalerie▶ Amsterdam
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The New Image of the Burgher
The 17th century was the Golden Age of the Netherlands. Wealthy burghers bought art in unheard-of quantities. And the masters of Dutch genre painting like Frans Hals, Jan Steen or Jan Vermeer delivered - always including moral caveats in their pictures…▶ The Berlin Gemäldegalerie▶ The Netherlands
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