Making a living, the Dutch art market in the 17th century

Jan van Goyen, The Beach at Egmond-aan-Zee, 1653, oil on panel, 49.2 x 74.3 cm (Center for Netherlandish Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). A conversation with Dr. Christopher Atkins, Van Otterloo-Weatherbie Director, Center for Netherlandish Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Dr. Beth Harris

[@storm1968eu]

the geographical, historical, social, ethnic, philosophical, esthetic and technical context in these short presentations is what makes them so interesting and highly educational.

[@athenaartfoundation]

Exactly! Smarthistory really is one of the best!

[@robinhahnsopran]

I love hearing so much about the economic context of these paintings. Thank you!

[@barrymoore4470]

Yes, this is an important dimension of art history that the wider public typically doesn't study or explore. The Romantic notion of the artist as a lone figure boldly promoting a vision unique to her, and doing so out of a relentless drive for self-expression, is an historically recent development. Most art was produced to meet specific cultural demands, and wherever artists were professionalized, money was typically part of the process.

[@DenUitvreter]

Yes, but it's still somewhat stuck in the narrative of the super rich merchants and their global trade. Yes, there was global trade but 99% of the trade was European, boring bulk trade usually. That trade and other industry created the wealthy and broad middle class that did spend on paintings among other things, and that huge body of paintings for that market is mostly not what is in the museums because it was mediocre. The richer and richest merchants knew very well what to buy, they didn't buy paintings at the market stand next to the butcher's like most people.

[@belnick]

For a person growing up in Eastern Europe and being familiar with the history of my motherland, it is mindblowing to hear, that simple Dutch bakers had paintings on the walls. 50K paintings a year for such a small country every year for a 100 years is just insane. I new Netherlands was different, but didn't know that much. Iron Bank of Braavos

[@ThankYou-bn6bp]

Wow speaking of timing … I’ve just been reading about the Dutch Golden Age paintings the past few weeks. ❤

[@Moribus_Artibus]

The incredible dedication these Dutch patrons gave to their local community of artists is something that would be honorable to replicate.

[@Sasha0927]

I marvel over their ability, but never considered the economic implications for these artists who were likely devalued in their day. It makes a lot of sense that they would specialize, work quickly, reduce their palettes, etc. Very clever.

[@artytomparis]

How is it that Dutch artists, after the plague, in the 13th century arose like phoenix's from the ashes of Europe with so much skill and ability, as though they had been secretly painting in that fashion for a century or more, perfecting their abilities. They were so much more talented than the Italian Renaissance artists of a century later and yet have received relatively little recognition.

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

There were Probably thousends of painter artists, they say nearly a million (Not 5) paintings were made only in the 17th century. There was a huge competition.

[@creestee08]

a bit off topic. are the ornate frames of the paintings as old as the paintings or are they new? are frames valuable?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Frames are a wonderful topic. Many frames in museums are extremely valuable and works of art in their own right. I recommend The Frame Blog for a deep dive into this fascinating world. theframeblog.com

[@seanpendulum5121]

FIVE MILLION paintings...! I was expecting you to day about a million!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

An amazingly robust market.

[@CosmosGwelf]

There's a giant in the crowd 😲