List of people from the Dutch Golden Age
Encyclopedia
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.
The accompanying article about the Dutch Golden Age
focuses on society, religion and culture. There are also articles about the Eighty Years' War (the Dutch revolt against Spain) and the Anglo-Dutch Wars
. A concise broader picture is painted in History of the Netherlands
.
People are listed here per category in order of year of birth.
Note: Many Dutchmen from this period had a middle name ending on szoon, which means son of. It is also commonly written as sz., for instance Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn.
For a more comprehensive listing, see the List of Dutch painters
Less famous painters from this period were
Less famous architects from this period were
Less famous literary men from this period were
Less famous composers/musicians from this period were
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
history, roughly equivalent to the 17th century, in which Dutch trade
Trade
Trade is the transfer of ownership of goods and services from one person or entity to another. Trade is sometimes loosely called commerce or financial transaction or barter. A network that allows trade is called a market. The original form of trade was barter, the direct exchange of goods and...
, science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
and art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
were top ranking in the world.
The accompanying article about the Dutch Golden Age
Dutch Golden Age
The Golden Age was a period in Dutch history, roughly spanning the 17th century, in which Dutch trade, science, military and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. The first half is characterised by the Eighty Years' War till 1648...
focuses on society, religion and culture. There are also articles about the Eighty Years' War (the Dutch revolt against Spain) and the Anglo-Dutch Wars
Anglo-Dutch Wars
The Anglo–Dutch Wars were a series of wars fought between the English and the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries for control over the seas and trade routes. The first war took place during the English Interregnum, and was fought between the Commonwealth of England and the Dutch Republic...
. A concise broader picture is painted in History of the Netherlands
History of the Netherlands
The history of the Netherlands is the history of a maritime people thriving on a watery lowland river delta at the edge of northwestern Europe. When the Romans and written history arrived in 57 BC, the country was sparsely populated by various tribal groups at the periphery of the empire...
.
People are listed here per category in order of year of birth.
Note: Many Dutchmen from this period had a middle name ending on szoon, which means son of. It is also commonly written as sz., for instance Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn.
Science
- Jan LeeghwaterJan LeeghwaterJan Adriaanszoon Leeghwater was a Dutch architect, mill builder and hydraulic engineer.- Biography :Leeghwater was born as Jan Adriaanszoon. Only later did he adopt the name Leeghwater, from laag water or low water. It is not clear exactly how the prevalent spelling of Leeghwater's name came about...
(1575–1650) hydraulic engineer - Hugo GrotiusHugo GrotiusHugo Grotius , also known as Huig de Groot, Hugo Grocio or Hugo de Groot, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic. With Francisco de Vitoria and Alberico Gentili he laid the foundations for international law, based on natural law...
(1583–1645) laid the foundations for international lawInternational lawPublic international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond... - René DescartesRené DescartesRené Descartes ; was a French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic. He has been dubbed the 'Father of Modern Philosophy', and much subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings, which are studied closely to this day...
French philosopher lived in Holland from 1628 till 1649. - Christiaan Huygens (1629–1695) was a famous mathematicianMathematicianA mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
, physicistPhysicistA physicist is a scientist who studies or practices physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning all length scales: from sub-atomic particles of which all ordinary matter is made to the behavior of the material Universe as a whole...
and astronomerAstronomerAn astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using... - Simon StevinSimon StevinSimon Stevin was a Flemish mathematician and military engineer. He was active in a great many areas of science and engineering, both theoretical and practical...
(1548–1620), mathematician and engineer, credited for being the first to accept negative numbers as a solution to equations, and for having laid the basic laws of modern hydrostatics. - Baruch de Spinoza (1632–1677) philosopherPhilosophyPhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
- Anton van LeeuwenhoekAnton van LeeuwenhoekAntonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch tradesman and scientist from Delft, Netherlands. He is commonly known as "the Father of Microbiology", and considered to be the first microbiologist...
who invented or greatly improved the microscopeMicroscopeA microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
(opinions differ) and was the first to methodically study microscopic life, thus laying the foundations for the field of cell biologyCell biologyCell biology is a scientific discipline that studies cells – their physiological properties, their structure, the organelles they contain, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. This is done both on a microscopic and molecular level...
. - Nicolaes TulpNicolaes TulpNicolaes Tulp was a Dutch surgeon and mayor of Amsterdam. Tulp was well known for his upstanding moral character.-Life:...
(1593–1674) Doctor, Magistrate, and Mayor of Amsterdam, wrote a book on diseases and human & animal anatomy - Cornelis CorneliszoonCornelis CorneliszoonCornelis Corneliszoon van Uitgeest, or Krelis Lootjes was a Dutch windmill owner from Uitgeest who invented the wind-powered sawmill, which made the conversion of log timber into planks 30 times faster than before.-Biography:...
(1550 – ca. 1600) Inventor of the sawmillSawmillA sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end.... - Govert BidlooGovert BidlooGovert Bidloo or Govard Bidloo was a Dutch Golden Age physician, anatomist, poet and playwright. He was the personal physician of William III of Orange-Nassau, Dutch stadholder and king of England....
(1649–1713) physician, anatomist and author who wrote the anatomical atlas Anatomia Humani Corporis - Frederik de WitFrederik de WitFrederick de Wit refers to the Amsterdam art, print and map seller Frederick de Wit . .*Frederick de Wit , the company founder...
(1630–1706) engraver, cartographer and publisher
Painting
The best known Dutch painters of the 17th century include:- Frans HalsFrans HalsFrans Hals was a Dutch Golden Age painter. He is notable for his loose painterly brushwork, and helped introduce this lively style of painting into Dutch art. Hals was also instrumental in the evolution of 17th century group portraiture.-Biography:Hals was born in 1580 or 1581, in Antwerp...
(ca. 1583 – 1666) portraits, schutterstukken, regent groups, genre pieces (inns, figures) - Hendrick AvercampHendrick AvercampHendrick Avercamp was a Dutch painter.Avercamp was born in Amsterdam, where he studied with the Danish-born portrait painter Pieter Isaacks , and perhaps also with David Vinckboons. In 1608 he moved from Amsterdam to Kampen in the province of Overijssel...
(1585–1634) landscapes with snow - Hendrick Terbruggen (1588–1629) historical and biblical paintings
- Willem Claeszoon HedaWillem Claeszoon HedaWillem Claeszoon Heda was one of the earliest Dutch Golden Age artists devoted exclusively to the painting of still lifes.-Biography:Heda was born in Haarlem,...
(1594–1680) still lifes - Jan van Goyen (1596–1656) landscapes
- Pieter Jansz SaenredamPieter Jansz SaenredamPieter Jansz. Saenredam was a painter of the Dutch Golden Age, known for his distinctive paintings of whitewashed church interiors.-Biography:...
(1597–1665) church interiors, cityscapes - Salomon van Ruysdael (ca. 1600 – 1670) landscapes
- Adriaen BrouwerAdriaen BrouwerAdriaen Brouwer was a Flemish genre painter active in Flanders and the Dutch Republic in the seventeenth century.-Biography:...
(ca. 1605-1638) genre pieces (inns) - Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606–1669) historical and biblical paintings, portraits, schutterstukken, regent groups, genre pieces (figures)
- Jan LievensJan LievensJan Lievens was a Dutch painter, usually associated with Rembrandt, working in a similar style.-Biography:According to Arnold Houbraken, Jan was the son of Lieven Hendriksze, a tapestry worker , and was trained by Joris Verschoten. He was sent to Pieter Lastman in Amsterdam at about the age of 10...
(1607–1674) historical and biblical paintings, portraits - Adriaen van OstadeAdriaen van OstadeAdriaen van Ostade was a Dutch Golden Age painter of genre works.-Life:...
(1610–1684) genre scenes of peasant life - Willem van de Velde, the elder (ca. 1611 – 1693) seascapes
- Bartholomeus van der HelstBartholomeus van der HelstBartholomeus van der Helst was a Dutch portrait painter.-Biography:Born in Haarlem, the son of a Haarlem innkeeper, Van der Helst moved to Amsterdam some time before 1636, for he was married there in that year...
(1613–1670) portraits, schutterstukken, regent groups - Jan Both (1615–1652) Italian landscapes
- Govert FlinckGovert FlinckGovert Teuniszoon Flinck was a Dutch painter of the Dutch Golden Age.-Life:Born at Kleve, he was apprenticed by his father to a silk mercer, but having secretly acquired a passion for drawing, was sent to Leeuwarden, where he boarded in the house of Lambert Jacobszoon, a Mennonite, better known...
(1615–1660) historical and biblical paintings, portraits, schutterstukken - Ferdinand BolFerdinand BolFerdinand Bol was a Dutch artist, etcher, and draftsman. Although his surviving work is rare, it displays Rembrandt's influence; like his master, Bol favored historical subjects, portraits, numerous self-portraits, and single figures in exotic finery.The street Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam was...
(1616–1680) historical and biblical paintings - Emanuel de WitteEmanuel de WitteEmanuel de Witte was a Dutch perspective painter. In contrast to Pieter Jansz Saenredam, who emphasized architectural accuracy, De Witte was more concerned with the atmosphere of his interiors. Though few in number, de Witte also produced genre paintings.-Life:De Witte was born in Alkmaar and...
(ca. 1617 – 1692) church interiors - Gerard Terborch (1617–1681) portraits, genre pieces (family scenes)
- Philips Wouwermans (1619–1668) landscapes
- Albert Cuyp (1620–1691) Italian and Dutch landscapes
- Carel FabritiusCarel FabritiusCarel Fabritius was a Dutch painter and one of Rembrandt's most gifted pupils.-Biography:Fabritius was born in Beemster, the ten-year old polder, as the son of a schoolteacher. Initially he worked as a carpenter . In the early 1640s he studied at Rembrandt's studio in Amsterdam, along with his...
(1622–1654) historical and biblical paintings, genre pieces (figures) - Paulus PotterPaulus PotterPaulus Potter was a Dutch painter, specialized in animals in landscapes, usually with a low point of view. Before Potter died of tuberculosis, 28-years old, he succeeded in producing about a hundred paintings, working continuously.-Life:Few details are known of Potter's life...
(1625–1654) animals in landscapes - Jan SteenJan SteenJan Havickszoon Steen was a Dutch genre painter of the 17th century . Psychological insight, sense of humour and abundance of colour are marks of his trade.-Life:...
(1626–1679) genre pieces (inns, family scenes) - Jacob Isaakszoon van RuysdaelJacob Isaakszoon van RuysdaelJacob Isaackszoon van Ruisdael was a Dutch landscape painter.-Life:A native of Haarlem, he appears to have studied under his father Isaak van Ruysdael, a landscape painter, though other authorities place him as the pupil of Berghem and of Allart van Everdingen...
(ca. 1628-1682) - Gabriel MetsuGabriel MetsuGabriël Metsu was a Dutch painter of history paintings, genre works and portraits.- Life :Metsu was the son of the Flemish painter Jacques Metsu , who lived most of his days at Leiden, and Jacomijntje Garniers, his third wife, whom he married in 1625. Jacomijntje was the widow of a painter with...
(1629–1667) genre pieces (family scenes) - Pieter de HoochPieter de HoochPieter de Hooch was a genre painter during the Dutch Golden Age. He was a contemporary of Dutch Master Jan Vermeer, with whom his work shared themes and style.-Biography:...
(1629–1683) genre pieces (family scenes) - Johannes VermeerJohannes VermeerJohannes, Jan or Johan Vermeer was a Dutch painter who specialized in exquisite, domestic interior scenes of middle class life. Vermeer was a moderately successful provincial genre painter in his lifetime...
(1632–1675) cityscapes, genre pieces (family scenes) - Nicolaes MaesNicolaes MaesNicolaes Maes, also known as Nicolaes Maas was a Dutch Golden Age painter of genre and portraits.-Biography:...
(1634–1693) portraits, genre pieces (family scenes, figures) - Meindert HobbemaMeindert HobbemaMeindert Hobbema , was a landscape painter of the Dutch school.-Life:The facts of his life are somewhat obscure. His chronology and signed pictures substantially contradict each other...
(1638–1709) landscapes
For a more comprehensive listing, see the List of Dutch painters
Less famous painters from this period were
- Cornelis KetelCornelis KetelCornelis or Cornelius Ketel was a Dutch Mannerist painter, active in Elizabethan London from 1573 to 1581, and in Amsterdam from 1581 to the early 17th century, now known essentially as a portrait-painter, though he was also a poet and orator, and from 1595 began to sculpt as well.According to...
(1548–1616) portraits, schutterstukken - Hendrik GoltziusHendrik GoltziusHendrik Goltzius , was a Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter. He was the leading Dutch engraver of the early Baroque period, or Northern Mannerism, noted for his sophisticated technique and the "exuberance" of his compositions. According to A...
(1558–1617) landscapes - Abraham BloemaertAbraham BloemaertAbraham Bloemaert was a Dutch painter and printmaker in etching and engraving. He was one of the "Haarlem Mannerists" from about 1585, but in the new century altered his style to fit new Baroque trends...
(1564–1651) historical and biblical paintings, landscapes - Michiel Janszoon van Miereveld (1567–1641) portraits
- Johannes Anthoniszoon van Ravesteyn (ca. 1570 – 1657) portraits
- Ambrosius BosschaertAmbrosius BosschaertAmbrosius Bosschaert the Elder was a still life painter of the Dutch Golden Age.-Biography:He was born in Antwerp, where he started his career, but he spent most of it in Middelburg , where he moved with his family because of the threat of religious persecution...
(1573–1621) flowers - Floris Claeszoon van Dijck (1575–1651) still lifes
- Roelant SaveryRoelant SaveryRoelant Savery , was a Flanders-born Dutch Golden Age painter.-Life:Savery was born in Kortrijk...
(1576–1639) landscapes - Cornelis van der VoortCornelis van der VoortCornelis van der Voort or van der Voorde was a Dutch Golden Age portrait painter from the early 17th century.-Life:...
(1576–1624) portraits, schuttersstukken - Jan Pynas (ca. 1580 – 1633) historical and biblical paintings
- Pieter Pieterszoon LastmanPieter LastmanPieter Lastman was a Dutch painter . Lastman is considered important because of his work as a painter of history pieces and because his pupils included Rembrandt and Jan Lievens...
(1583–1633) historical and biblical paintings - Jan PorcellisJan PorcellisJan Porcellis was a Dutch marine artist.Porcellis was born in Ghent. He was the father of the marine artist Julius Porcellis , and is generally agreed to be the more fluent artist, particularly in his sense of space and his tonal palette...
(1584–1632) sea sights - Cornelis van Poelenburgh (1586–1667) Italian landscapes
- Hercules SeghersHercules SeghersHercules Pieterszoon Seghers or Segers was a Dutch painter and printmaker of the Dutch Golden Age. Segers is in fact the more common form in contemporary documents, and was used by the painter himself...
(ca. 1589 – 1638) landscapes - Gerhard van Honthorst (1590–1656) historical and biblical paintings, genre pieces (family scenes, figures)
- Dirck van BaburenDirck van BaburenDirck Jaspersz. van Baburen was a Dutch painter associated with the Utrecht Caravaggisti.-Biography:Dirck van Baburen was probably born in Wijk bij Duurstede, but his family moved to Utrecht when he was still young. He was also known as Teodoer van Baburen and Theodor Baburen...
(ca. 1590 – 1624) genre pieces (figures) - Cornelis Hendrickszoon VroomCornelis VroomCornelis Hendriksz Vroom was a Dutch Golden Age landscape painter.-Biography:According to the RKD he was the son of the painter Hendrick Cornelisz Vroom, the older brother of Frederick and Jacob, and the father of the painter Jacob Cornelisz Vroom. He became a member of the Haarlem Guild of St...
(ca. 1591 – 1661) sea sights - Esayas van der VeldeEsaias van de VeldeEsaias van de Velde was a Dutch landscape painter.-Biography:Born in Amsterdam, where his Flemish father Hans had fled as a Protestant in 1585, he probably studied under his father and Gillis van Coninxloo, a landscape painter from Antwerp and a follower of Pieter Brueghel the Elder...
(ca. 1591 – 1630) landscapes - Dirck HalsDirck HalsDirck Hals , born at Haarlem, was a Dutch painter of festivals and ballroom scenes. He was influenced by his elder brother Frans Hals.-Biography:...
(1591–1656) genre pieces (family scenes, figures) - Willem Pieterszoon BuytewechWillem Pieterszoon BuytewechWillem Pieterszoon Buytewech was a Dutch painter, draughtsman and etcher of the Golden Age. He is often considered the "inventor" of Dutch genre painting. For his preference of irony, his contemporaries named him “Gheestige Willem” .-Life:Buytewech was born and died in Rotterdam...
(ca. 1591 – 1624) landscapes, genre pieces (figures) - Cornelis Corneliszoon van HaarlemCornelis van HaarlemCornelis Corneliszoon van Haarlem , Dutch Golden Age painter and draughtsman, was one of the leading Northern Mannerist artists in The Netherlands, and an important forerunner of Frans Hals as a portraitist.-Biography:...
(1592–1638), portraits, historical and biblical paintings - Balthasar van der AstBalthasar van der AstBalthasar van der Ast was a Dutch Golden Age painter who specialized in still lifes of flowers and fruit, as well as painting a number of remarkable shell still lifes; he is considered to be a pioneer in the genre of shell painting. His still lifes often contain insects and lizards...
(ca. 1593 – 1657) flowers - Pieter de MolijnPieter de MolijnPieter de Molijn was a Dutch Golden Age painter and engraver born in England.-Biography:He was baptized in the Dutch Reformed Austin Friars church in London. Little is known of his early training, but he probably traveled to Italy and in 1616 he became a member of the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke. He...
(1595–1661) landscapes - Thomas de KeyserThomas de KeyserThomas de Keyser was a Dutch painter and architect.De Keyser was born and died in Amsterdam. He excelled as a portrait painter, and was the most in-demand portrait painter in the Netherlands until the 1630s, when Rembrandt eclipsed him in popularity...
(ca. 1596 – 1667) portraits, schutterstukken - Johannes Corneliszoon Verspronck (1597–1662) portraits
- Pieter ClaeszPieter ClaeszPieter Claesz was a Dutch Golden Age still life painter.-Biography:He was born in Berchem, Belgium, near Antwerp, where he became a member of the Guild of St. Luke in 1620. He moved to Haarlem in 1621, where his son, the landscape painter Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem was born...
(ca. 1597 – 1660) still lifes - Bartholomeus BreenberghBartholomeus BreenberghBartholomeus Breenbergh was a Dutch Golden Age painter of Italianate landscapes.-Biography:Little is known of his early life. In his famous three volume Schouburg, Arnold Houbraken mentioned him in his first volume with an entreaty to readers to write him with more news of Breenberg's biography...
(1599–1657) Italian landscapes - Pieter Franszoon de GrebberPieter de GrebberPieter Fransz de Grebber was a Dutch Golden Age painter.-Life:De Grebber was the oldest son of Frans Pietersz de Grebber , a painter and embroiderer in Haarlem, and the brother of the painters Maria and Albert. He learned to paint from his father and from Hendrick Goltzius...
(ca. 1600-1652) historical and biblical paintings - Gerrit HoeckgeestGerard HouckgeestGerard Houckgeest was a Dutch Golden Age painter of architectural scenes and church interiors.-Biography:...
(ca. 1600 – 1661) church interiors - Simon de VliegerSimon de VliegerSimon de Vlieger was a Dutch designer, draughtsman, and painter, most famous for his marine paintings.-Life:...
(1601–1653) sea sights - Aert van der Neer (1603–1677) sea sights
- Christiaen van CouwenberghChristiaen van CouwenberghChristiaen van Couwenbergh, was a Dutch Golden Age painter.-Biography:Couwenbergh was born in Delft. His father Gillis was a silversmith, engraver, and art dealer from Mechelen. Gillis had moved to Delft before 1604 where he married Adriaantje Vosmaer, the sister of the flower painter Jacob...
(1604–1667) historical and biblical paintings - Jan Davidszoon de HeemJan Davidszoon de HeemJan Davidsz. de Heem or in-full Jan Davidszoon de Heem, also called Johannes de Heem or Johannes van Antwerpen , was a still life painter who was active in Utrecht and Antwerp...
(1606 – ca.1683) still lifes - Judith LeysterJudith LeysterJudith Jans Leyster was a Dutch Golden Age painter. She was one of three significant women artists in Dutch Golden Age painting; the other two, Rachel Ruysch and Maria van Oosterwijk, were specialized painters of flower still-lifes, while Leyster painted genre works, a few portraits, and a...
(1609–1660) genre pieces (figures) - Jan Asselyn (1610–1652) Italian landscapes
- David Teniers the YoungerDavid Teniers the YoungerDavid Teniers the Younger was a Flemish artist born in Antwerp, the son of David Teniers the Elder. His son David Teniers III and his grandson David Teniers IV were also painters...
(1610–1690) genre pieces (inns) - Jan Miense MolenaerJan Miense MolenaerJan Miense Molenaer , was a Dutch Golden Age genre painter whose style was a precursor to Jan Steen's work during Dutch Golden Age painting. He shared a studio with his wife, Judith Leyster, also a genre painter, as well as a portraitist and painter of still-life...
(ca. 1610 – 1668) genre pieces (family scenes) - Pieter de RinghPieter de RingPieter de Ring, or Ryng was a Dutch Golden Age painter of still lifes. became famous for his opulent, flashy still lifes or banquet pieces with fruit, a lobster, a goblet, shrimps, oysters, a rug and Chinese porcelain...
(1615–1660) still lifes - Caesar van EverdingenCaesar van EverdingenCesar Pietersz, or Cesar Boetius van Everdingen , older brother of Allart van Everdingen and Jan van Everdingen, was a Dutch Golden Age portrait and history painter.-Biography:...
(1617–1678) historical and biblical paintings - Willem KalfWillem Kalf- Life and work :Willem Kalf was born in Rotterdam, in 1619. He was previously thought to have been born in 1622, but H. E. van Gelder’s important archival research has established the painter’s correct place and date of birth. Kalf was born into a prosperous patrician family in Rotterdam, where...
(1619–1693) still lifes - Philips Koninck (1619–1688) landscapes
- Otto Marseus van SchrieckOtto Marseus van SchrieckOtto Marseus van Schrieck was a painter in the Dutch Golden Age.-Biography:Marseus van Schrieck spent the years 1648-1657 in Rome and Florence with the painters Matthias Withoos and Willem van Aelst, after which he settled in Amsterdam. He is best known for his paintings of forest flora and fauna...
(ca. 1619-1678) flowers - Nicolaes Pieterszoon BerchemNicolaes Pieterszoon BerchemNicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem was a highly esteemed and prolific Dutch Golden Age painter of pastoral landscapes, populated with mythological or biblical figures, but also of a number of allegories and genre pieces....
(1621–1683) Italian landscapes - Abraham van BeyerenAbraham van BeyerenAbraham Hendriksz van Beijeren was a Dutch Baroque era painter. He was little regarded in his day but is now considered one of the greatest of still-life painters. Van Beijeren lived in a succession of Dutch towns. Born in The Hague, the artist also lived in Delft, Amsterdam, Alkmaar and Gouda...
(ca. 1620 – 1690) still lifes - Jan Baptist WeenixJan Baptist WeenixJan Baptist Weenix , a painter of the Dutch Golden Age. Despite his relatively brief career, he was a very productive and versatile painter. His favourite subjects were Italian landscapes with large figures among ruins, seaside views, and, later in life, large still life pictures of dead game or dogs...
(1621–1663) Italian landscapes - Gerbrand van den EeckhoutGerbrand van den EeckhoutGerbrand van den Eeckhout , was a Dutch Golden Age painter and a favourite student of Rembrandt. He was also an etcher, an amateur poet, a collector and an adviser on art.-Biography:...
(1621–1674) - Karel DujardinKarel DujardinKarel Dujardin was a Dutch painter.-Biography:Karel Dujardin was a Dutch painter and etcher, born in Amsterdam in 1622. Although active as a portrait and history painter, he is best known for his Italianate landscapes. Typical of his landscape paintings is Farm Animals in the Shade of a Tree...
(1622–1678) Italian landscapes - Adam PynackerAdam PynackerAdam Christiaensz Pynacker or Pijnacker was a Dutch Golden Age painter, mostly of landscapes.-Biography:...
(1622–1673) Italian landscapes - Jan van de CappelleJan van de CappelleJan van de Cappelle was a Dutch Golden Age painter of seascapes and winter landscapes, also notable as an industrialist and art collector. He is "now considered the outstanding marine painter of 17th century Holland"...
(1626–1679) seascapes - Job Adriaenszoon BerckheydeJob Adriaenszoon BerckheydeJob Adriaenszoon Berckheyde was a Dutch artist of the 17th century, active in Haarlem, Amsterdam, and The Hague.-Biography:...
(1630–1693) church interiors - Willem DrostWillem DrostWillem Drost was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker of history paintings and portraits who died young.-Biography:...
, (1630–1680), historical and biblical paintings - Frederik de MoucheronFrederik de Moucheron-Biography:Frederik de Moucheron was the son of the painter Balthazar de Moucheron and Cornelia van Brouckhoven. His father came from a wealthy family of wine traders and is portrayed as one of the younger sons in the Moucheron Family portrait, 1563. Frederik trained with Jan Asselijn and became a...
(1633–1686) Italian landscapes - Jan de BaenJan de BaenJan de Baen was a Dutch portrait painter who lived during the Dutch Golden Age. He was a pupil of the painter Jacob Adriaensz Backer in Amsterdam from 1645 to 1648. He worked for Charles II of England in his Dutch exile, and from 1660 until his death he lived and worked in The Hague...
(1633–1702) portraits - Willem van de Velde the youngerWillem van de Velde the YoungerWillem van de Velde the Younger was a Dutch marine painter.-Biography:Willem van de Velde was baptised on 18 December 1633 in Leiden, Holland, Dutch Republic....
(1633–1707) sea sights - Frans van Mieris sr. (1635–1681) genre pieces (family scenes, figures)
- Adriaen van de Velde (1636–1672) landscapes
- Gerrit Adriaenszoon BerckheydeGerrit Adriaenszoon BerckheydeGerrit Adriaenszoon Berckheyde was a Dutch Golden Age painter, active in Haarlem, Amsterdam, and The Hague, who is best known today for his cityscapes.-Biography:...
(1636–1698) cityscapes - Jan van der HeydenJan van der HeydenJan van der Heyden was a Dutch Baroque-era painter, draughtsman, printmaker, a mennonite and inventor who significantly contributed to contemporary firefighting. He improved the fire hose in 1672, with his brother Nicolaes, who was a hydraulic engineer...
(1637–1712) cityscapes - Caspar NetscherCaspar NetscherCaspar Netscher was a Dutch portrait and genre painter. He was a master in depicting oriental rugs, silk and brocade and introduced an international style to the Northern Netherlands.-Life:...
(1639–1684) portraits - Gerard de LairesseGerard de LairesseGerard or Gérard de Lairesse was a Dutch Golden Age painter and art theorist.Lairesse was born in Liège. His broad range of talent included music, poetry, and the theatre. He was perhaps the most celebrated Dutch painter in the period following the death of Rembrandt...
(1641–1711) historical and biblical paintings - Aert de GelderAert de GelderAert de Gelder was a Dutch painter.De Gelder was born and died in Dordrecht. He was one of Rembrandt’s last pupils while in Amsterdam, studying in his studio from 1661 to 1663...
(1645–1727) historical and biblical paintings - Jan van HuysumJan van HuysumJan van Huysum, also spelled Huijsum, was a Dutch painter.-Biography:He was the brother of Jacob van Huysum, the son of the flower painter Justus van Huysum, and the grandson of Jan van Huysum I, who is said to have been expeditious in decorating doorways, screens and vases...
(1682–1749) flowers - Hendrik Martenszoon SorghHendrik Martenszoon SorghHendrik Martenszoon Sorgh , was a Dutch Golden Age painter of genre works.-Biography:He was a pupil of David Teniers the Younger and Willem Pieterszoon Buytewech. Sorgh painted mostly interiors with peasants. His kitchen interiors feature elaborate still lifes...
(1609/1611-1670) - Abraham Danielsz Hondius (ca. 1625-1695) dogs,hunting scenes and landscapes
Architecture
The most famous Dutch architects of the 17th century were- Lieven de KeyLieven de KeyLieven de Key was a famous Dutch renaissance architect in the Netherlands, mostly known today for his works in Haarlem.-Biography:...
(1560–1627), master builder of HaarlemHaarlemHaarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland, the northern half of Holland, which at one time was the most powerful of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic...
. He 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 KeyserHendrick de KeyserHendrick de Keyser was a Dutch sculptor and architect born in Utrecht, Netherlands, who was instrumental in establishing a late Renaissance form of Mannerism in Amsterdam...
(1565–1621). He preferred a style that was much more sober than his contemporary Lieven de Key, built the ZuiderkerkZuiderkerk (Amsterdam)The Zuiderkerk is a 17th Century Protestant church in the Nieuwmarkt area of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The church played an important part in the life of Rembrandt and was the subject of a painting by Claude Monet....
(1606–1614), the WesterkerkWesterkerkThe Westerkerk is a church of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands denomination in Amsterdam, built in 1620-1631 after a design by Hendrick de Keyser. It is next to Amsterdam's Jordaan district, on the bank of the Prinsengracht canal....
(1620–1638) and the Exchange (1608–1611) in AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Town Hall of DelftDelftDelft is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland , the Netherlands. It is located between Rotterdam and The Hague....
(1619), several canal houses in Amsterdam (see also section sculpture) - Jacob van CampenJacob van CampenJacob van Campen , was a Dutch artist and architect of the Golden Age.-Life:He was born into a wealthy family at Haarlem, and spent his youth in his home town. Being of noble birth and with time on his hands, he took up painting mainly as a pastime...
(1595–1657). He embraced classicism fully and served as an example for many colleagues, built the Mauritshuis in The HagueThe HagueThe Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
(1635), the Dam PalaceRoyal Palace (Amsterdam)The Royal Palace in Amsterdam is one of three palaces in the Netherlands which is at the disposal of Queen Beatrix by Act of Parliament. The palace was built as city hall during the Dutch Golden Age in the seventeenth century. The building became the royal palace of king Louis Napoleon and later...
in Amsterdam (1648–1655), which was originally the town hall, now a royal palace.
Less famous architects from this period were
- Hans Vredeman de VriesHans Vredeman de VriesHans Vredeman de Vries was a Dutch Renaissance architect, painter, and engineer. Vredeman de Vries is known for his publication in 1583 on garden design and his books with many examples on ornaments and perspective ....
(1527–1606), architect in Antwerp, used a lot of ornamentation - Arent van 's-Gravenzande (..-1662), built De Lakenhal (1639) and the Marekerk (1638–1640), both in Leiden, and the Oostkerk (1646) in MiddelburgMiddelburgMiddelburg is a municipality and a city in the south-western Netherlands and the capital of the province of Zeeland. It is situated in the Midden-Zeeland region. It has a population of about 48,000.- History of Middelburg :...
- Philip Vingboons (1607–1678), built many canal houses in Amsterdam in classicistic style
- Pieter PostPieter PostPieter Jansz Post was a Dutch Golden Age architect, painter and printmaker.-Biography:...
(1608-1669]]), built Huis ten Bosch in The HagueThe HagueThe Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
(1645-) - Adriaen Dortsman (1625-1682), built the Lutheran Church in Amsterdam
- Elias Bouman (1636–1686), built the Portuguese-Israelitic SynagogueAmsterdam EsnogaThe Portuguese Synagogue also known as the Esnoga , or Snoge, is a 17th-century Sephardic synagogue in Amsterdam. Esnoga is the Ladino word for synagogue.-Background:...
in Amsterdam (1671/1675) - Maurits PostMaurits PostMaurits Post was a Dutch Golden Age architect.Post was the architect for Stadtholder William III of Orange from 1672 until his early death in 1677. Famous buildings include Slot Amerongen and the Royal palaces Soestdijk Palace, Huis ten Bosch Palace and Noordeinde Palace....
(1645–1677), built Slot Amerongen (1676)
Literature
The most famous Dutch men of letters of the 17th century were- Joost van den VondelJoost van den VondelJoost van den Vondel was a Dutch writer and playwright. He is considered the most prominent Dutch poet and playwright of the 17th century. His plays are the ones from that period that are still most frequently performed, and his epic Joannes de Boetgezant , on the life of John the Baptist, has...
(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. BrederoGerbrand Adriaensz BrederoGerbrand Adriaensz Bredero was a Dutch poet and playwright in the period known as the Dutch Golden Age.-Life:...
(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 HooftPieter Corneliszoon HooftPieter Corneliszoon Hooft - Knight in the Order of Saint Michael - was a Dutch historian, poet and playwright from the period known as the Dutch Golden Age.-Life:...
(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 CatsJacob CatsJacob Cats was a Dutch poet, humorist, jurist and politician. He is most famous for his emblem books.-Early years:...
(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.
Less famous literary men from this period were
- Roemer VisscherRoemer VisscherRoemer Pieterszoon Visscher was a successful Dutch merchant and writer in the period often called the Dutch Golden Age.-Life:...
(1547–1620), writer of epigramEpigramAn epigram is a brief, interesting, usually memorable and sometimes surprising statement. Derived from the epigramma "inscription" from ἐπιγράφειν epigraphein "to write on inscribe", this literary device has been employed for over two millennia....
s and emblemataEmblemataUsually known simply as the "Emblemata", the first emblem book appeared in Augsburg in 1531 under the title Viri Clarissimi D. Andreae Alciati Iurisconsultiss. Mediol. Ad D. Chonradum Peutingerum Augustanum, Iurisconsultum Emblematum Liber... - Karel van Mander (1548–1606), who 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 CosterSamuel CosterSamuel Coster was a Dutch playwright.Coster was the fifth child of Adriaen Lennaertz, sexton and carpenter, and Aeltgen Jansd. By around 1605, he was a member of the Amsterdam rederijkerskamer "De Eglantier". Presumably he was helped into the society by rich friends, but then got himself to...
(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
- Thomas Asseleyn (1620–1701), writer of comedies
- Willem Godschalk van Focquenbroch (1640–1670), poet and playwright
- Jan LuykenJan LuykenJohannes or Jan Luyken was a Dutch poet, illustrator and engraver.-Biography:...
(1649–1712)
Sculpture
Dutch sculptors of the 17th century were- Hendrick de KeyserHendrick de KeyserHendrick de Keyser was a Dutch sculptor and architect born in Utrecht, Netherlands, who was instrumental in establishing a late Renaissance form of Mannerism in Amsterdam...
(1565–1621). De Keyser was also an architect (see above). He created the Mausoleum for William of Orange in the Nieuwe Kerk (English: New Church) in DelftDelftDelft is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland , the Netherlands. It is located between Rotterdam and The Hague....
(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 RotterdamRotterdamRotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
(1618) - Artus I Quellinus (1609–1668), Artus II Quellinus (his nephew) (1625–1700) and Rombout VerhulstRombout VerhulstRombout Verhulst was a Brabant sculptor.-Life:Rombout Verhulst studied in Mechelen with the sculptors Rombout Verstappen en Frans van Loo ....
(1625–1696), all sculpturists from the southern Low Countries, were most prominent among the sculpturists that decorated the townhall, now known as Dam Palace (1648–1655).
Music
The most famous Dutch composers of the 17th century were- Jan P. SweelinckJan Pieterszoon SweelinckJan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was a Dutch composer, organist, and pedagogue whose work straddled the end of the Renaissance and beginning of the Baroque eras. He was among the first major keyboard composers of Europe, and his work as a teacher helped establish the north German organ...
(1562–1621) composer and organ player, major force in the development of 17th century organ music - Constantijn HuygensConstantijn HuygensConstantijn Huygens , was a Dutch Golden Age poet and composer. He was secretary to two Princes of Orange: Frederick Henry and William II, and the father of the scientist Christiaan Huygens.-Biography:...
(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
- Gerbrand Adriaenszoon Bredero, song writer
- Adrianus ValeriusAdrianus ValeriusAdrianus Valerius, also known as Adriaen Valerius, was a Dutch poet and composer, known mostly for his poems dealing with peasant and burgher life and those dealing with the Dutch War of Independence, assembled in his great work Nederlandtsche gedenck-clanck.-Life:Valerius was born about 1575 in...
(1570–1625), song writer - Jan Jacob van EyckJacob van EyckJonkheer Jacob van Eyck was a Dutch nobleman and musician. He was one of the best-known musicians in The Netherlands in the seventeenth century as a carillon player, expert in bell casting and tuning, organist, recorder virtuoso, and composer.Van Eyck was born blind into a noble family in the...
(1590–1657), composer - Cornelis SchuytCornelis SchuytCornelis Floriszoon Schuyt was a Dutch organist and Renaissance composer.Cornelis Floriszoon Schuyt was born in Leiden in 1557...
(1557–1616), composer - Joan Albert BanJoan Albert Ban-Life:From 1628-42 he was canon priest of the Haarlem chapter . In 1630 he became priest of the Begijnhof in Haarlem, across the street from the Janskerk ....
(1597–1644), composer - Cornelis PadbruéCornelis Thymenszoon Padbrué-Life:Padbrué came from a musical family and entered the company of "stadsspeelluiden" in his native city of Haarlem, but was dismissed from civic service in 1635 as a result of a long-running quarrel. From then on he supported himself as a freelance musician, and little further of his life is...
(1592–1670), composer - Joan SchenkJohannes SchenckJohannes Schenck was a Dutch musician and composer.Schenck was born in Amsterdam in 1660 where he was baptised on 3 June into the Reformed Church...
(1656-1612+), composer - Karel Hacquart (ca 1640 - ca 1730), composer
- François (1609–1667) and Pierre (1619–1680) Hemony (brothers); famous carillonCarillonA carillon is a musical instrument that is typically housed in a free-standing bell tower, or the belfry of a church or other municipal building. The instrument consists of at least 23 cast bronze, cup-shaped bells, which are played serially to play a melody, or sounded together to play a chord...
builders
Exploration
- Adriaen BlockAdriaen BlockAdriaen Block was a Dutch private trader and navigator who is best known for exploring the coastal and river valley areas between present-day New Jersey and Massachusetts during four voyages from 1611 to 1614, following the 1609 expedition by Henry Hudson...
(fl. 1610–1624), first European to enter Long Island SoundLong Island SoundLong Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
and the Connecticut RiverConnecticut RiverThe Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
and determine that ManhattanManhattanManhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
and Long IslandLong IslandLong Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
are islands - Abel Janszoon TasmanAbel TasmanAbel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer, explorer, and merchant, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the VOC . His was the first known European expedition to reach the islands of Van Diemen's Land and New Zealand and to sight the Fiji islands...
, (1603–1659), first European to discover New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, TasmaniaTasmaniaTasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
and FijiFijiFiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island... - Willem Barentsz, (ca. 1550 – 1597), explorer of the ArcticArcticThe Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
- Cornelis de HoutmanCornelis de HoutmanCornelis de Houtman , brother of Frederick de Houtman, was a Dutch explorer who discovered a new sea route from Europe to Indonesia and managed to begin the Dutch spice trade...
, (1565–1599), explorer of the East Indies - Cornelis NayCornelis NayCornelis Corneliszoon Nay was a Dutch navigator and explorer who attempted to discover the Northeast Passage from Europe to the Far East.Nay hailed from Enkhuizen in The Netherlands. In June of 1594, he set out from the Dutch island of Texel with a small fleet to discover the Northeast Passage....
, explorer of the ArcticArcticThe Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost... - Henry HudsonHenry HudsonHenry Hudson was an English sea explorer and navigator in the early 17th century. Hudson made two attempts on behalf of English merchants to find a prospective Northeast Passage to Cathay via a route above the Arctic Circle...
, (d. 1611), Englishman who sailed to the Arctic for the Dutch East India CompanyDutch East India CompanyThe Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia...
Colonization
- Kiliaen van Rensselaer (before 1596 – after 1643), co-founder of the Dutch West India CompanyDutch West India CompanyDutch West India Company was a chartered company of Dutch merchants. Among its founding fathers was Willem Usselincx...
and first patroonPatroonIn the United States, a patroon was a landholder with manorial rights to large tracts of land in the 17th century Dutch colony of New Netherland in North America...
of Rensselaerswyck - Jan Pieterszoon CoenJan Pieterszoon CoenJan Pieterszoon Coen was a officer of the Dutch East India Company in the early seventeenth century, holding two terms as its Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies....
(1587–1629), Governor-General of the Dutch East IndiesGovernor-General of the Dutch East IndiesThe Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies represented the Dutch rule in the Dutch East Indies between 1610 and Dutch recognition of the independence of Indonesia in 1949.The first Governors-General were appointed by the Dutch East India Company... - Peter StuyvesantPeter StuyvesantPeter Stuyvesant , served as the last Dutch Director-General of the colony of New Netherland from 1647 until it was ceded provisionally to the English in 1664, after which it was renamed New York...
(c. 1612–1672), colonial governor of the New NetherlandNew NetherlandNew Netherland, or Nieuw-Nederland in Dutch, was the 17th-century colonial province of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands on the East Coast of North America. The claimed territories were the lands from the Delmarva Peninsula to extreme southwestern Cape Cod...
colony. - Jan van RiebeeckJan van RiebeeckJohan Anthoniszoon "Jan" van Riebeeck was a Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town.-Biography:...
(1619–1677), commander of the Cape ColonyCape ColonyThe Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
and founder of Cape TownCape TownCape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
Politics
- Maurice of Nassau, Prince of OrangeMaurice of Nassau, Prince of OrangeMaurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange was sovereign Prince of Orange from 1618, on the death of his eldest half brother, Philip William, Prince of Orange,...
(1567–1625), stadtholderStadtholderA Stadtholder A Stadtholder A Stadtholder (Dutch: stadhouder [], "steward" or "lieutenant", literally place holder, holding someones place, possibly a calque of German Statthalter, French lieutenant, or Middle Latin locum tenens... - Frederik Hendrik, Prince of OrangeFrederick Henry, Prince of OrangeFrederick Henry, or Frederik Hendrik in Dutch , was the sovereign Prince of Orange and stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel from 1625 to 1647.-Early life:...
(1584–1647), stadtholderStadtholderA Stadtholder A Stadtholder A Stadtholder (Dutch: stadhouder [], "steward" or "lieutenant", literally place holder, holding someones place, possibly a calque of German Statthalter, French lieutenant, or Middle Latin locum tenens... - Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (1547–1619), statesman who played an important role in the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain
- Jan de Witt (1627–1672), statesman who played an important role in the Dutch Golden Age
- Cornelis de GraeffCornelis de GraeffCornelis de Graeff, also Cornelis de Graeff van Polsbroek was the most illustrious member of the De Graeff family. He was a mayor of Amsterdam from the Dutch Golden Age and a powerful Amsterdam regent after the sudden death of stadholder William II of Orange...
(1599–1664), Amsterdam regentRegentA regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
who played an important role in the Dutch Golden Age - Andries de GraeffAndries de GraeffFree Imperial Knight Andries de Graeff was a very powerful member of the Amsterdam branch of the De Graeff - family during the Dutch Golden Age. He became a mayor of Amsterdam and a powerful Amsterdam regent after the death of his older brother Cornelis de Graeff...
(1611–1678), Amsterdam regent who ruled the city after the death of his brother Cornelis
Military
- Maarten TrompMaarten TrompMaarten Harpertszoon Tromp was an officer and later admiral in the Dutch navy. His first name is also spelled as Maerten.-Early life:...
(1598–1653), admiral - Cornelis TrompCornelis TrompSir Cornelis Maartenszoon Tromp, 1st Baronet was a Dutch naval officer. He was the son of Lieutenant Admiral Maarten Tromp. He became Lieutenant Admiral General in the Dutch Navy and briefly Admiral General in the Danish Navy...
(1629–1691), admiral, commander-in-chief of the Dutch and Danish navies - Michiel de Ruyter (1607–1676), admiral in the Anglo-Dutch WarsAnglo-Dutch WarsThe Anglo–Dutch Wars were a series of wars fought between the English and the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries for control over the seas and trade routes. The first war took place during the English Interregnum, and was fought between the Commonwealth of England and the Dutch Republic...
- Cornelis JolCornelis JolCornelis Corneliszoon Jol , nicknamed Houtebeen , was a 17th-Century Dutch corsair and admiral in the Dutch West India Company during the Eighty Year's War between Spain and the fledgling Dutch Republic...
(1597–1641), admiral and privateer