Masterpieces of the golden age

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The ten greatest masterpieces of the Dutch golden age

In the 17th century, the Dutch republic became an economic and military superpower. It was also an era in which Dutch science and arts blossomed. This era is usually referred to as the Dutch Golden Age.


All art forms flourished in this era, but the Golden Age is especially remembered for its painters. Artists like Rembrandt, Johannes (or Jan) Vermeer, Jan Steen, Paulus Potter and Frans Hals all painted their masterpieces in Holland in the 17th century.


In this lens I introduce what I consider to be the ten greatest masterpieces of the era. At the bottom of the page you get the chance to vote for your own favorites.


If ten Dutch masterpieces is not enough for you, you will find more on Dutch masters: Masterpieces of the Golden Age.

1. Night watch

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669)

'Night watch', by Rembrandt van Rijn

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, better known by his first name Rembrandt, is the most famous of the Dutch Golden Age painters, and one of the greatest artists of all time.


The Company of Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch, better known as The night watch, is Rembrandt's masterpiece. It is a militia painting, but quite unlike the many other militia paintings from this era. Militia paintings are usually static, with people standing in rows, or seated at a banquet. The night watch is dynamic, a group of men in action. Also special is the lighting, effectively used to draw attention to Frans Banning Cocq and Willem van Ruytenburch in the centre, and the girl on the left.


Due to the darkening over time of the varnish on the painting's surface, the painting looked like a night scene - hence its nickname night watch. The darkened varnish has been removed in the 1940s.

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2. Girl with a pearl earring

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675)

'Girl with a pearl earring', by Johannes Vermeer

Girl with a pearl earring, also known as Girl with a turban, is Vermeer's most popular painting. A young woman with a turban and a pearl earring, looking over her shoulder to see who's standing behind her.


The painting is probably not a portrait (Dutch women did not wear turbans), but a so-called tronie, a study of a head. Vermeer probably used a model for this painting, but it is unknown who she was.

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Books on Vermeer

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3. Jewish bride

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669)

'Jewish bride', by Rembrandt van Rijn

The Jewish bride is one of Rembrandt's most famous paintings, but it is unclear who are depicted. In the early 19th century, someone identified the people on the painting as a Jewish father, hanging a necklace around his daughter's neck on her wedding day. The painting has been known as The Jewish bride ever since, even though nowadays nobody doubts the people on the painting are a couple, and not a bride with her father.


The "official" name of the painting is Portrait of two figures from the Old Testament.

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4. Milkmaid

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675)

'Milkmaid', by Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was not a very prolific painter - fewer than 40 of his paintings are known, and it is unlikely he painted many more than those. Most of his works, including The milk maid, are of domestic interior scenes, possibly of his own house.

5. Gypsy girl

Frans Hals (c.1580-1666)

Gypsy girl, by Frans Hals

Frans Hals (1580/81-1666) was a master of portrait painting. His work also includes large group portraits, but he really shines in portraits of individuals.


This portrait is known as the Gypsy girl, but is probably the portrait of a prostitute.

Would you like to have this painting in your home? The original is in the Louvre museum in Paris, France, and not for sale. You can buy beautiful reproductions at Amazon, though. They offer gorgeous handmade oil reproductions, like the one displayed here, but also giclee posters and traditional posters.

6. Anatomy lesson

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669)

'Anatomy lesson', by Rembrandt van Rijn

The Amsterdam surgeon's guild organized an annual anatomy demonstration, aimed at their members, but (paying) visitors were also welcome. They used the body of an executed criminal. In this painting, Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, a well-known surgeon, shows the muscles of an arm to his colleagues.


The corpse belonged to Aris Kindt, a notorious Leiden criminal. He had been hanged and his body was made available for scientific research.

Books on Rembrandt

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7. The large Dort

Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691)

'The large Dort', by Aelbert Cuyp

Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691) was mostly a landscape painter. He usually painted in the area around Dordrecht.

8. The merry family

Jan Steen (1626-1679)

'The merry family', by Jan Steen

Jan Steen (1626-1679) is well-known for his paintings of cheerful groups in chaotic environments. The merry family, his best-known work, is a prime example of this.

9. Laughing boy

Frans Hals (c.1580-1666)

'Laughing boy', by Frans Hals

10. The bull

Paulus Potter (1625-1654)

'The bull', by Paulus Potter

The bull is Potter's best known work. It is a huge (235x339cm), but extremely detailed picture of a young bull. He originally painted a smaller picture, with only the bull, but later enlarged it by sewing pieces of linen to the top and the sides, adding the farmer, cow and sheep on the left, and cattle grazing in the distance on the right. It is unclear whether the painting was a commission.

Paulus Potter prints and posters

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What is your favorite?

Please make your choice.

Please vote for your favorite Dutch masterpiece, or add the masterpieces you think are missing.



Only add masterpieces from the Dutch golden age, please!

Girl with a pearl earring

5 points

The night watch

4 points

Milkmaid

4 points

Laughing boy

3 points

Anatomy lesson

1 point

The Jewish bride

0 points

Gyspsy girl

0 points

The large Dort

0 points

The merry family

0 points

The bull

0 points

Tell us about your favorite masterpieces

Your opinion

Please tell us all about your favorite masterpieces from the Dutch golden age. Do you agree with my top ten selection? Which paintings are missing? This is your chance to tell us!

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About the author

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by

Henk

Web author, genealogist, avid reader, art lover.
I am the author of the Trace your Dutch roots website, and the corresponding blog and newsletter.
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Night watch 

Rembrandt van Rijn

Milkmaid 

Johannes Vermeer