Dutch artists. Early Netherlandish painting

06.05.2014

The life path of Frans Hals was as bright and intense as his paintings. Until now, the world knows stories about the drunken brawls of Hals, which he now and then arranged after big holidays. An artist with such a cheerful and exuberant nature could not win respect in a country in which Calvinism was the state religion. Frans Hals was born in Antwerp in early 1582. However, his family left Antwerp. In 1591, the Khals arrived in Haarlem. Frans' younger brother was born here...

10.12.2012

Jan Steen is one of the most famous representatives of the Dutch school of painting in the middle of the 17th century. In the works of this artist you will not find either monumental or elegant canvases, or vivid portraits of great people or religious images. In fact, Jan Steen is a master of everyday scenes filled with fun and sparkling humor of his era. His paintings depict children, drunkards, ordinary people, gulens and many, many others. Jan was born in the southern province of Holland, the town of Leiden around 1626...

07.12.2012

The work of the famous Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch is still ambiguously perceived by both critics and just art lovers. What is depicted on Bosch's canvases: demons of the underworld or just people disfigured by sin? Who was Hieronymus Bosch really: an obsessed psychopath, a sectarian, a visionary, or just a great artist, a kind of ancient surrealist, like Salvador Dali, who drew ideas from the unconscious? Maybe his life path...

24.11.2012

The famous Dutch artist Pieter Brueghel the Elder created his colorful writing style, which differed significantly from other Renaissance painters. His paintings are images of folk satirical epic, images of nature and life of the village. Some works fascinate with their composition - you want to look at them and look at them, arguing about what exactly the artist wanted to convey to the viewer. The peculiarity of Brueghel's writing and vision of the world is reminiscent of the work of the early surrealist Hieronymus Bosch...

26.11.2011

Han van Meegeren (full name - Henrikus Antonius van Meegeren) was born on May 3, 1889 in the family of a simple school teacher. The boy spent all his free time in the workshop of his beloved teacher, whose name was Korteling. The father did not like this, but it was Korteling who managed to develop in the boy a taste and ability to imitate the manner of writing in antiquity. Van Meegeren received a good education. He entered the Delft Institute of Technology, where he took a course in architecture, at the age of 18. At the same time, he studied at...

13.10.2011

The famous Dutch artist Johannes Jan Vermeer, also known to us as Vermeer of Delft, is rightfully considered one of the brightest representatives of the golden age of Dutch art. He was a master of genre portraits and so-called everyday painting. The future artist was born in October 1632 in the city of Delft. Jan was the second child in the family and the only son. His father was an art dealer and silk weaver. His parents were friends with the artist Leonart Breimer, who...

18.04.2010

The already hackneyed phrase that all geniuses are a little crazy just fits perfectly with the fate of the great and brilliant post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh. Having lived only 37 years, he left a rich legacy - about 1000 paintings and the same number of drawings. This figure is even more impressive when you find out that Van Gogh devoted less than 10 years of his life to painting. 1853 March 30, in the village of Grot-Zundert, located in the south of Holland, the boy Vincent was born. A year before, in the family of a priest in which he was born ...

The Netherlands is a unique country that has given the world more than a dozen outstanding artists. Famous designers, artists and simply talented performers - this is a small list that this small state can flaunt.

Rise of Dutch art

The era of prosperity of the art of realism did not last long in Holland. This period covers the entire 17th century, but the scale of its significance greatly exceeds the given chronological framework. Dutch artists of that time became a role model for the next generation of painters. So that these words do not sound unfounded, it is worth mentioning the names of Rembrandt and Hals, Potter and Ruisdael, who forever strengthened the status of unsurpassed masters of realistic images.

A very significant representative of the Dutch Jan Vermeer. He is considered to be the most mysterious character in the heyday of Dutch painting, since, being famous during his lifetime, he lost interest in his person in less than half a century. Little is known about Vermeer's biographical information, mostly art historians studied the history of him by studying his works, however, there were difficulties here too - the artist practically did not date his canvases. The most valuable from an aesthetic point of view are considered to be the works of Jan "Servant with a jug of milk" and "Girl with a letter".

No less famous and respectable artists were Hans Memling, Hieronymus Bosch, the brilliant Jan van Eyck. All creators are distinguished by their appeal to everyday life, which is reflected in still lifes, landscapes and portraits.

She left her mark on the subsequent development of French art in the second half of the 17th century and became a model for realistic landscapes created during the Renaissance. Russian realist artists did not deprive the Dutch of attention either. We can safely say that the art of the Netherlands has become progressive and demonstrative and has managed to be reflected in the canvas of every outstanding artist who painted natural studies.

Rembrandt and his legacy

The artist's full name is Rembrandt van Rijn. He was born in the memorable year 1606 in a fairly prosperous family at that time. As the fourth child, he still received a good education. The father wanted his son to graduate from the university and become an outstanding figure, but his expectations were not met due to the boy's poor academic performance, and so that all efforts were not in vain, he was forced to give in to the guy and agree with his desire to become an artist.

Rembrandt's teachers were the Dutch artists Jacob van Swanenbürch and Peter Lastman. The first had rather mediocre skills in painting, but managed to gain respect for his personality, as he spent a long time in Italy, communicating and working with local artists. Rembrandt did not stay close to Jacob for long and went in search of another teacher in Amsterdam. There he entered the teachings of Peter Lastman, who became a real mentor for him. It was he who taught the young man engraving art to the extent that contemporaries can observe it.

As evidenced by the works of the master, made in huge quantities, Rembrandt became a fully formed artist by 1628. Any objects formed the basis of his sketches, and human faces were no exception. When discussing portraits by Dutch artists, one cannot fail to mention the name of Rembrandt, who from his young years became famous for his remarkable talent in this field. He wrote a lot of father and mother, which are now kept in galleries.

Rembrandt quickly gained popularity in Amsterdam, but did not stop improving. In the 30s of the 17th century, his famous masterpieces "Anatomy Lesson", "Portrait of Coppenol" were created.

An interesting fact is that at that time Rembrandt marries the beautiful Saxia, and a fertile time of abundance and glory begins in his life. Young Saxia became the artist's muse and was embodied in more than one painting, however, as art historians testify, her features are repeatedly found in other portraits of the master.

The artist died in poverty, without losing the fame he acquired during his lifetime. His masterpieces are concentrated in all major galleries in the world. He can rightfully be called a master, whose works are a synthesis of all medieval realistic painting. Technically, his work cannot be called ideal, since he did not pursue the fidelity of the construction of the drawing. The most important artistic aspect that distinguished him among the representatives of the schools of painting was his unsurpassed play of chiaroscuro.

Vincent van Gogh - a brilliant nugget

Hearing the phrase "great Dutch artists", many people immediately draw in their heads the image of Vincent van Gogh, his undeniably beautiful and juicy paintings, which were appreciated only after the death of the artist.

This person can be called unique in its kind and a brilliant personality. As the son of a pastor, Van Gogh, like his brother, followed in his father's footsteps. Vincent studied theology and was even a preacher in the Belgian town of Borinage. On his account, he also worked as a commission agent and various relocations. However, the service in the parish and close contact with the harsh everyday life of the miners revived in the young genius an inner sense of injustice. Daily contemplating the fields and the life of working people, Vincent was so inspired that he began to draw.

Dutch artists are primarily known for their portraits and landscapes. Vincent van Gogh was no exception. By his thirtieth birthday, he gives up everything and begins to actively engage in painting. During this period, the creation of his famous works “Potato Eaters”, “Peasant Woman” falls. All his works are imbued with a frenzied sympathy for ordinary people who feed the whole country, but at the same time can barely feed their own families.

Later, Vincent is sent to Paris, and the focus of his work changes somewhat. There are intense images and new themes for empathy. The semi-destitute lifestyle and marriage to a prostitute were also reflected in his art, which is clearly visible in the paintings "Night Cafe", "Prisoners' Walk".

Friendship with Gauguin

Beginning in 1886, van Gogh became interested in studying Impressionist plein air painting and developed an interest in Japanese prints. It was from that moment that the characteristic features of Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec can be seen in the artist's works. First of all, this can be seen in the change in the transfer of color mood. In the works, smears of rich yellow color begin to predominate, as well as blue “sparkle”. The first sketches in the characteristic colors were: "Bridge over the Seine" and "Portrait of Papa Tanguy." The latter dazzles with its brightness and bold strokes.

The friendship between Gauguin and Van Gogh was of a correlational nature: they mutually influenced creativity, although they used different expressive tools, actively exchanged gifts in the form of their own paintings and argued tirelessly. The difference between the characters, the uncertain position of Vincent, who believed that his picturesque manners were "rurally bestial", gave rise to controversy. In some ways, Gauguin was a more down to earth person than V. en Gogh. The passions in their relationship were so heated that one day they quarreled in their favorite cafe and Vincent threw a glass of absinthe at Gauguin. The quarrel did not end there, and the next day there was a long series of accusations against Gauguin, who, according to Van Gogh, was to blame for everything. It was at the end of this story that the Dutchman was so furious and depressed that he cut off part of his ear, which he kindly presented as a gift to a prostitute.

Dutch artists, regardless of the era of their life, have repeatedly proved to society their unsurpassed manner of transferring moments of life to the canvas. However, perhaps no one in the world has ever been able to be awarded the title of genius, without having the slightest idea about the technique of drawing, building a composition and ways of artistic transmission. Vincent van Gogh is a unique nugget who managed to achieve world recognition thanks to his perseverance, purity of spirit and exorbitant thirst for life.

The main trends, stages of development of painting and iconic painters of Holland.

Dutch painting

Introduction

Dutch painting of the 17th century is sometimes mistakenly considered art for the middle class, bowing to the Flemish painting of this period and calling it courtly, aristocratic. No less erroneous is the opinion that Dutch artists are only engaged in depicting the immediate human environment, using landscapes, cities, the sea, people's lives for this purpose, while Flemish art is devoted to historical painting, which in art theory is considered a more elevated genre. In contrast, public buildings in Holland, which had to have an imposing appearance, as well as wealthy visitors, whatever their religious beliefs or origins, required paintings with an allegorical or mythological theme.

Any division of the Netherlandish school of painting into Flemish and Dutch branches up to the beginning of the 17th century. in view of the constant creative exchange between the regions, it would be artificial. For example, Pieter Aartsen, who was born in Amsterdam, worked in Antwerp before returning to his hometown in 1557, while his pupil and nephew Joachim Bukelaer spent his entire life in Antwerp. In connection with the signing of the Union of Utrecht and the separation of the seven northern provinces, many residents after 1579-1581. emigrated from the northern Netherlands to the Protestant part of the artificially divided country.

"Butcher shop". Artsen.

Development of art

The impetus for the independent development of Dutch painting came from the Flemish artists. Bartholomeus Spranger, born in Antwerp and educated in Rome, became the founder of a virtuoso, courtly, artificial style, which, as a result of Spranger's temporary residence in Vienna and Prague, became an international "language". In 1583, the painter and art theorist Karel van Mander brought this style to Haarlem. One of the main masters of this Harlem or Utrecht mannerism was Abraham Blumart.

Then Isaiah van de Velde, born in Holland to a family of emigrants from Flanders, and studied in a circle of painters, the center of which was the Flemish artists David Winkbons and Gillis Coninxloe, in his early paintings developed a realistic style of painting that referred to Jan Brueghel the Elder, with bright color gradations of artistic plans. Around 1630, in Holland, a tendency to unify the artistic space and merge the colors of different layers was established. Since then, the multifaceted nature of the things depicted has given way to a sense of space and airy atmosphere, which was conveyed with a gradually increasing monochrome use of color. Isaiah van de Velde embodied this stylistic turn in art together with his student Jan van Goen.

Winter landscape. Velde.

One of the most monumental High Baroque landscapes, The Great Forest, by Jacob van Ruysdael, belongs to the next period in the development of Dutch painting. The viewer no longer has to experience the rather amorphous view of a sprawling gray-brown space with a few eye-catching motifs; from now on, the impression is made by a fixed, energetically accentuated structure.

Genre painting

Dutch genre painting, which, in fact, can hardly be called just a portrait of everyday life, often carrying a moralistic message, is represented in Vienna by the works of all its main masters. Its center was Leiden, where Gerard Du, the first pupil of Rembrandt, founded a school known as the "Leiden school of fine painting (fijnschilders)".

figurative painting

Meeting of officers of the company. Frans Hals.

Three of the greatest Dutch masters of figurative painting, Frans Hals, Rembrandt and Jan Vermeer of Delft, followed each other at intervals of almost a whole generation. Hals was born in Antwerp and worked in Haarlem mainly as a portrait painter. For many, he has become the personification of an open, cheerful and spontaneous virtuoso painter, while the art of Rembrandt, the thinker - as the cliché says - reveals the origins of human destiny. This is both right and wrong at the same time. What immediately catches the eye when looking at a portrait or a group portrait by Hals is the ability to convey a person who is overwhelmed with emotions in motion. In order to depict the elusive moment, Hals uses open, markedly irregular strokes, crisscrossing in zigzags or hatching patterns. This creates the effect of a constantly shimmering surface, similar to a sketch, which merges into a single image only when viewed from a certain distance. After the return of Rothschild's "gifts" - an expressive portrait of a man in black was purchased for the collection of the Prince of Liechtenstein and thus returned to Vienna. The Kunsthistorisches Museum owns only one painting by Franz Hals, a portrait of a young man who already appeared in the collection of Charles VI as one of the few examples of "Protestant" art in Holland. Portraits painted in the late period of Hals' work are closer to Rembrandt's works in terms of psychological insight and lack of posturing.

Thanks to the subtle transitions of shades and areas of chiaroscuro, Rembrandt seems to envelop the figures with a sounding space in which mood, atmosphere, something intangible and even invisible, live. The work of Rembrandt in the Vienna Picture Gallery is represented only by portraits, although The Artist's Mother and The Artist's Son can also be considered one-figure historical paintings. In the so-called "Large Self-Portrait" of 1652, the artist appears before us in a brown blouse, with a three-quarter turn of his face. His gaze is self-confident and even defiant.

Vermeer

The undramatic art of Jan Vermeer, wholly focused on contemplation, was seen as a reflection of the Dutch middle class, now independent and content with what they had. However, the simplicity of Vermeer's artistic concepts is deceptive. Their clarity and calmness are the result of precise analysis, including the use of the latest technical inventions such as the camera obscura. The "Allegory of Painting", created around 1665-1666, Vermeer's pinnacle work in terms of work with color, can be called his most ambitious painting. The process initiated by Jan van Eyck, a native of the northern Netherlands, the passive, detached contemplation of the immovable world, has always remained the main theme of Dutch painting and in the works of Vermeer reached an allegorical and at the same time real apotheosis.

Dutch painting