The Dutch Golden Age was a period in
Dutch history, roughly equivalent to the 17th century, in which Dutch
trade,
science and
art were top ranking in the world until
Tulip Mania in 1637 and onwards.
People are listed here per category in order of year of birth.
Note: Many Dutchmen from this period had a middle name ending in szoon, which means son of. It is also commonly written as sz., for instance Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn.
Sciences and philosophy
Jacob van Langren (c. 1525 – 1610), Dutch cartographer and globe-maker.
Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676), Dutch theologian, served from 1634 as professor in theology at the University of Utrecht. Noted opponent of
Cartesianism.
Painting
The best known Dutch painters of the 17th century include:
The most famous Dutch architects of the 17th century were :
Lieven de Key (1560–1627), master builder of
Haarlem; still used a fair amount of ornamentation, built De Waag (1598), front of the Town Hall (1597), De Vleeshal (1602–1603), New Church tower (1613), all of which are in Haarlem
Hendrick de Keyser (1565–1621), preferred a style that was much more sober than his contemporary Lieven de Key, built the Zuiderkerk (1606–1614), the Westerkerk (1620–1638) and the Exchange (1608–1611) in
Amsterdam, Town Hall of
Delft (1619), several canal houses in Amsterdam (see also section sculpture)
Jacob van Campen (1595–1657), embraced classicism fully and served as an example for many colleagues, built the Mauritshuis in
The Hague (1635), the
Dam Palace in Amsterdam (1648–1655), which was originally the town hall, now a royal palace
The most famous Dutch men of letters of the 17th century were:
Joost van den Vondel (1587–1679), poet and playwright, who wrote more than 30 plays, many of those based on biblical stories. After The Gijsbrecht (see above) his best known drama is Lucifer (1654). He translated many French, Italian, Latin and Greek works. A recurring theme is man's inner conflicts, on the one hand rebellious, on the other hand pledging obedience to God.
Gerbrand Adriaensz. Bredero (1585–1618), poet (sonnets) and dramatist (comedies), his most famous comedy, De Spaanse Brabander (English: The Spanish Brabanter), describes the seamy side of life in Amsterdam
Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (1581–1647), historian, poet and dramatist, who wrote Nederlandsche Historiën (English: Dutch History), which was never completed, but highly valued. His poetry was of high standard as well. He introduced French and Italian lyricism into Dutch poetry.
Jacob Cats (1577–1660), poet, famous for his moralistic writings. Houwelijck and Trouringh (English:Marriage and Wedding ring) are two major volumes to educate the Dutch about these serious affairs. Indeed, his all too serious tone, lacking humour and esprit, made him a lesser writer than the three named above, and sometimes the object of mockery. His Kinderen zijn hinderen (English: Children are a nuisance) is still a Dutch saying, often followed by the remark that Cats probably had forgotten that he had been a child himself.
Karel van Mander (1548–1606), wrote the Schilderboeck, a book about painting, and also several biographies about painters
Justus de Harduyn (1582–1636), poet from the southern Low Countries
Samuel Coster (1579–1665), good friend of
Bredero, founder of the First Dutch Academy in 1617
Jacob Revius (1586–1658), poet but worked also on the new bible translation known as the Statenbijbel that appeared in 1637 and is still in use today in some Protestant circles
Hendrick de Keyser (1565–1621), also an architect (see above). He created the Mausoleum for
William of Orange in the Nieuwe Kerk (English: New Church) in
Delft (1614). All ruling descendants of Willem of Orange and their kin have been interred here to this date. De Keyser also created the statue of Erasmus in
Rotterdam (1618)
Artus I Quellinus (1609–1668),
Artus II Quellinus (his nephew) (1625–1700) and
Rombout Verhulst (1625–1696). All originating from the southern Netherlands (present day
Belgium), they were the most prominent sculptors in the Northern Netherlands. Among their greatest works is the decoration of the Amsterdam city hall (built between 1648 and 1665), now known as the
Royal Palace of Amsterdam.
Music
The most famous Dutch composers of the 17th century were:
Jan P. Sweelinck (1562–1621), composer and organ player, major force in the development of 17th century organ music
Constantijn Huygens (1596–1687), more famous as a poet, member of the famous chamber of rhetoric De Muiderkring, composed some 800 pieces, most of which got lost, promoted use of the organ during church services
Less famous composers/musicians from this period were:
Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (1547–1619), statesman who played an important role in the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain
Johan de Witt (1625–1672), Grand Pensionary of Holland, statesman who played an important role in the Republic of the United Netherlands
Cornelis de Graeff (1599–1664), Amsterdam regent and Dutch statesman who played an important role in the Republic of the United Netherlands; uncle of Johan de Witt
Andries de Graeff (1611–1678), Amsterdam regent and Dutch statesman; uncle of Johan de Witt
Andries Bicker (1586-1652), powerful Amsterdam regent and Dutch statesman and diplomat; leader of the Dutch States Party
Cornelis Bicker (1592-1654), Amsterdam regent; uncle of Johan de Witt
Agatha Welhouk (1637–1715), central figure in 17th-century court case and daughter of Delft's mayor
Nicolaes Witsen (1641–1717), Dutch statesman who was mayor of Amsterdam thirteen times, between 1682-1706
The Dutch Golden Age was a period in
Dutch history, roughly equivalent to the 17th century, in which Dutch
trade,
science and
art were top ranking in the world until
Tulip Mania in 1637 and onwards.
People are listed here per category in order of year of birth.
Note: Many Dutchmen from this period had a middle name ending in szoon, which means son of. It is also commonly written as sz., for instance Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn.
Sciences and philosophy
Jacob van Langren (c. 1525 – 1610), Dutch cartographer and globe-maker.
Gisbertus Voetius (1589-1676), Dutch theologian, served from 1634 as professor in theology at the University of Utrecht. Noted opponent of
Cartesianism.
Painting
The best known Dutch painters of the 17th century include:
The most famous Dutch architects of the 17th century were :
Lieven de Key (1560–1627), master builder of
Haarlem; still used a fair amount of ornamentation, built De Waag (1598), front of the Town Hall (1597), De Vleeshal (1602–1603), New Church tower (1613), all of which are in Haarlem
Hendrick de Keyser (1565–1621), preferred a style that was much more sober than his contemporary Lieven de Key, built the Zuiderkerk (1606–1614), the Westerkerk (1620–1638) and the Exchange (1608–1611) in
Amsterdam, Town Hall of
Delft (1619), several canal houses in Amsterdam (see also section sculpture)
Jacob van Campen (1595–1657), embraced classicism fully and served as an example for many colleagues, built the Mauritshuis in
The Hague (1635), the
Dam Palace in Amsterdam (1648–1655), which was originally the town hall, now a royal palace
The most famous Dutch men of letters of the 17th century were:
Joost van den Vondel (1587–1679), poet and playwright, who wrote more than 30 plays, many of those based on biblical stories. After The Gijsbrecht (see above) his best known drama is Lucifer (1654). He translated many French, Italian, Latin and Greek works. A recurring theme is man's inner conflicts, on the one hand rebellious, on the other hand pledging obedience to God.
Gerbrand Adriaensz. Bredero (1585–1618), poet (sonnets) and dramatist (comedies), his most famous comedy, De Spaanse Brabander (English: The Spanish Brabanter), describes the seamy side of life in Amsterdam
Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (1581–1647), historian, poet and dramatist, who wrote Nederlandsche Historiën (English: Dutch History), which was never completed, but highly valued. His poetry was of high standard as well. He introduced French and Italian lyricism into Dutch poetry.
Jacob Cats (1577–1660), poet, famous for his moralistic writings. Houwelijck and Trouringh (English:Marriage and Wedding ring) are two major volumes to educate the Dutch about these serious affairs. Indeed, his all too serious tone, lacking humour and esprit, made him a lesser writer than the three named above, and sometimes the object of mockery. His Kinderen zijn hinderen (English: Children are a nuisance) is still a Dutch saying, often followed by the remark that Cats probably had forgotten that he had been a child himself.
Karel van Mander (1548–1606), wrote the Schilderboeck, a book about painting, and also several biographies about painters
Justus de Harduyn (1582–1636), poet from the southern Low Countries
Samuel Coster (1579–1665), good friend of
Bredero, founder of the First Dutch Academy in 1617
Jacob Revius (1586–1658), poet but worked also on the new bible translation known as the Statenbijbel that appeared in 1637 and is still in use today in some Protestant circles
Hendrick de Keyser (1565–1621), also an architect (see above). He created the Mausoleum for
William of Orange in the Nieuwe Kerk (English: New Church) in
Delft (1614). All ruling descendants of Willem of Orange and their kin have been interred here to this date. De Keyser also created the statue of Erasmus in
Rotterdam (1618)
Artus I Quellinus (1609–1668),
Artus II Quellinus (his nephew) (1625–1700) and
Rombout Verhulst (1625–1696). All originating from the southern Netherlands (present day
Belgium), they were the most prominent sculptors in the Northern Netherlands. Among their greatest works is the decoration of the Amsterdam city hall (built between 1648 and 1665), now known as the
Royal Palace of Amsterdam.
Music
The most famous Dutch composers of the 17th century were:
Jan P. Sweelinck (1562–1621), composer and organ player, major force in the development of 17th century organ music
Constantijn Huygens (1596–1687), more famous as a poet, member of the famous chamber of rhetoric De Muiderkring, composed some 800 pieces, most of which got lost, promoted use of the organ during church services
Less famous composers/musicians from this period were:
Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (1547–1619), statesman who played an important role in the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain
Johan de Witt (1625–1672), Grand Pensionary of Holland, statesman who played an important role in the Republic of the United Netherlands
Cornelis de Graeff (1599–1664), Amsterdam regent and Dutch statesman who played an important role in the Republic of the United Netherlands; uncle of Johan de Witt
Andries de Graeff (1611–1678), Amsterdam regent and Dutch statesman; uncle of Johan de Witt
Andries Bicker (1586-1652), powerful Amsterdam regent and Dutch statesman and diplomat; leader of the Dutch States Party
Cornelis Bicker (1592-1654), Amsterdam regent; uncle of Johan de Witt
Agatha Welhouk (1637–1715), central figure in 17th-century court case and daughter of Delft's mayor
Nicolaes Witsen (1641–1717), Dutch statesman who was mayor of Amsterdam thirteen times, between 1682-1706