The Netherlands is a unique country that has presented the world with more than a dozen outstanding artists. Well-known designers, artists and simply talented performers - here is a short list that this small state can flaunt.
The heyday of Holland art
The era of the prosperity of the art of realism did not last long in Holland. This period covers the entire XVII 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 unsubstantiated, it is worth mentioning the names of Rembrandt and Gals, Potter and Reysdal, who forever strengthened the status of unsurpassed masters of realistic images.
A very significant representative of Dutch painting was Jan Vermeer. He is considered to be the most mysterious character in the heyday of Dutch painting, since, being known in life, he lost interest in his person in less than half a century. Little is known about Vermeer's biographical information, mainly art historians investigated the story about him by studying his works, however, there were also difficulties - the artist practically did not date his canvases. The most valuable from an aesthetic point of view is considered to be the work of Jan "Maid with a jug of milk" and "Girl with a letter."
No less famous and respectable artists were Hans Memling, Jerome Bosch, the brilliant Jan van Eyck. All creators are distinguished by an appeal to the everyday genre of painting, which is reflected in still lifes, landscapes and portraits.
Dutch painting left its mark on the subsequent development of French art in the second half of the 17th century and became a model for realistic landscapes created in the Renaissance. Do not deprive the Dutch of Russian artists and realists. We can safely say that the art of the Netherlands has become progressive and indicative and managed to find reflection in the canvas of every outstanding artist who wrote natural studies.
Rembrandt and his legacy
The artist's full name is Rembrandt van Rijn. He was born in a memorable 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 fulfilled due to the boy's low academic performance, and so that all efforts would not be in vain, he was forced to give in to the guy and agree with his desire to become an artist.
Rembrandt's teachers were Dutch artists Jacob van Svanenbürh and Peter Lastman. The first one 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 was not long with Jacob and went in search of another teacher in Amsterdam. There he entered the teachings of Peter Lastman, who became for him a real mentor. It was he who taught the young man engraving art to the extent that contemporaries can observe it.
As evidenced by the work of the master, performed in large quantities, Rembrandt became a fully formed artist by 1628. The basis of his sketches lay any objects, human faces were no exception. When discussing portraits of 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 painted many self-portraits, portraits of his father and mother, which are now kept in galleries.
Rembrandt quickly gained popularity in Amsterdam, but he did not stop improving. In the 30s of the XVII century, his famous masterpieces “Anatomy Lesson”, “Portrait of Coppenol” were created.
An interesting fact is that at that time Rembrandt would marry the beautiful Saxia, and in his life the fertile season of abundance and glory begins. 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 his fame during his lifetime. His masterpieces are concentrated in all major galleries of the world. He can rightly be called a master, whose work is a synthesis of all medieval realistic painting. Technically, his work cannot be called ideal, since he did not pursue the fidelity of constructing the drawing. The most important artistic aspect that distinguishes him from 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 a unique and 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 also work as a middleman and various transfers. However, service in the parish and close contact with the harsh everyday life of the miners revived the young man's inner sense of injustice. Every day contemplating the fields and 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 throws everything and begins to actively engage in painting. During this period, the creation of his famous works "The Potato Eaters", "Peasant Woman". All his works are filled with frenzied sympathy for ordinary people who feed the whole country, but can hardly feed their own families.
Vincent later goes to Paris, and the direction of his work changes somewhat. Tense images and new themes for empathy appear. The semi-youthful way of life and marriage to a prostitute were reflected in his art, which is clearly visible in the paintings “Night Cafe”, “Prisoners Walk”.
Friendship with Gauguin
Since 1886, van Gogh became interested in the study of plein air painting of the Impressionists and has shown interest in Japanese engraving. From that moment, the artist’s works show the characteristic features of Gauguin and Toulouse-Lautrec. First of all, this can be seen in the change in the transmission of color mood. In the works, saturated yellow strokes begin to prevail, as well as blue “sparkling”. The first sketches in the characteristic color scheme were: "The bridge across the Seine" and "Portrait of dad Tanga." The latter dazzles with its brightness and bold strokes.
The friendship between Gauguin and Van Gogh was of a correlation nature: they mutually influenced each other’s creativity , although they used different expressive tools, actively exchanged gifts in the form of their own paintings and argued relentlessly. The difference between the characters, the uncertain position of Vincent, who believed that his picturesque manners were “rural cattle”, gave rise to controversy. In a way, Gauguin was a more mundane personality than B, en Gogh. The passion in their relationship was so heated that once 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 followed a long series of accusations towards Gauguin, who, according to Van Gogh, was guilty of all mortal sins. It was at the end of this story that the Dutchman was so furious and depressed that he cut off a part of his ear, which he kindly presented as a gift to a prostitute.
Dutch artists, regardless of the era of their lives, have repeatedly proved to society their unsurpassed manner of transferring moments of life to the canvas. However, perhaps no one in the world could be honored with the title of genius, without having the slightest idea about the technique of drawing, the construction of the composition and the methods of artistic transmission. Vincent Van Gogh is a unique nugget who managed to achieve world recognition thanks to his tenacity, purity of spirit and exorbitant thirst for life.