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"
In his work we see what was to become a major aspect of the whole
of Flemish Art: an incomparable feeling for the material aspect
of each and every object that he painted. He was most anxious
to render faithfully even the most insignificant details."
---Valentin
Denis 1961
No less an authority
than David Hokney postulates the use of the camera obscura
and other mechanical devices by Jan Van Eyck,
(along with many other artists).
The ability to utilize
technology without being overwhelmed by it; that is, to use all
this paraphernalia as a tool, an aid to discover, interpret,
and comprehend the "thingness" of an object- therein
lies true genius.
"Jan of Bruges
opened the eyes of those painters; but they, by imitating only
his manner and not thinking any further, have left our churches
full of works which do not resemble good and natural things,
but are only dressed in beautiful colors"
L. Lombard in a letter to Vasari, April 27, 1563
The economic and political
evolution of The Netherlands was accompanied
by a since unequaled appreciation for art among the general population.
Artists depicted life everywhere, Art was everywhere.
"Good paintings
could be bought in Rotterdam fairground booths, and were
wont to grace the walls of even the humblest houses."
---J. Huizinga
An entire "visual
language" was evolving.
By
the 17th century...
The Netherlands had come into it's "Golden Age,"
a republic---not a monarchy--- with a strong mercantile
class. Now the role of the Artist emerged. In true democratic
tradition artists (themselves mostly of the lower middle classes)
depicted all aspects of daily life with an equality and reverence
previously unimaginable.
Johannes
Vermeer .. painter
... object and image;
relationships-- of men and women, Man and God,
our highest aspirations - our basic needs;
the spiritual vs. the material, and a host of other societal
traits.
The very same society and culture we see in Vermeer's paintings
accompanied the explorers.. exploiters... entrepreneurs.... colonists...
to the New World.
"Is Vermeer (his artistry transcending some political levels)
also the pinnacle of the great Dutch/Belgium contribution of
the very radical notion of the original bourgeoisie - that is,
the true radical first "middle class" - those with
power, money and influence, that WAS NOT inherited as a member
of royalty. Of course, this very class assumed a conservative
role as it established itself. But in it's beginnings,
the very existence of this group (with all it's egalitarian and
democratic values) was a gigantic radical event. And the role
of the individual, with all her complexities, rose even higher.
Vermeer is the champion of the complex individual, living in
an intricate cultural context - an idea that even today academics
can barely grapple with."--- M. Cohen, 2000
WHY?
The purpose of these photographs is to present Architecture (and
The Decorative Arts ) as symbols of Dutch life. Objects
whose meanings and functions say something definitive about how
the Dutch lived, why they pursued certain goals, or expressed
certain values. These values permeate Seventeenth Century Dutch
Culture. One is struck by how similar these values are to those
espoused by Americans today:
1) The primacy of the family
for organizing and realizing social and economic goals.
2) A liberalism that encouraged
individual economic gain.
3) The importance of religious
beliefs and of the the institution of the church for reinforcing
ethnic identity; yet at the same time a tolerance of others'
beliefs and behavior.
These aspects of Netherlands
society attracted a diverse European population of ambitious
immigrants; especially after their own revolution over 400 years
ago. When New Netherland was founded shortly thereafter, it also
attracted a wide range of people from throughout Europe seeking
the same liberal opportunities, and formed a population that,
more than any other colony, had a diversity akin to what we see
in modern America. The result has been a free wheeling entrepreneurship
which has greatly affected the spirit and organization of American
society. Thus it is in the Dutch Republic that we see historical
parallels to our own values more so than from the monarchies
of Europe out of which most of our ancestors were only to glad
too emigrate. In that sense the attractiveness of Netherlands
society promoted the emigration of the ideals of Dutch culture
to America.
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