This part of our presentation is focused on Dutch Golden Age landscape and seascape painting.
A period in Dutch history generally spanning the 17th century, during and after the later part of the Eighty Years War (1568–1648) for Dutch independence. At that time, the Dutch republic was one of Europe’s most prominent states. It strength was manifest not only in politics and economics but also in the arts and sciences at Europe.
II. Land, sea and sky paintings of the 17 century:
Landscape painting was a major genre in the 17th century.
The Dutch landscape is actually firmly rooted in 16th century Flemish landscape painting. These had been not particularly realistic, having been painted mostly in the studio, partly from imagination, and often still using the semi-aerial view from above typical of earlier Netherlandish landscape painting. A more realistic Dutch landscape style developed, seen from ground level, often based on drawings made outdoors, with lower horizons which made it possible to emphasize the often impressive cloud formations that were (and are) so typical in the climate of the region, and which cast a particular light. Favorite subjects were the dunes along the western sea coast, rivers with their broad adjoining meadows where cattle grazed, often with the silhouette of a city in the distance. Winter landscapes with frozen canals and creeks also abounded. The sea was a favorite topic as well since the Holland depended on it for trade, battled with it for new land, and battled on it with competing nations.
A different type of landscape, produced throughout the tonal and classical phases, was the romantic Italianate landscape, typically in more mountainous settings than are found in the Netherlands, with golden light, and sometimes picturesque Mediterranean staff age and ruins.
a. Sky painting:
Philip Koninck(1619-88)
An extensive Landscape with a road by a ruin
1655.Oil on canvas, 137.4x167.3cm London, National