Art Appreciation: 17th Century Dutch Art

This course is a detailed exploration of the artists who flourished in the Netherlands during the first half of the seventeenth century, which became known as the Golden Age of Dutch Art. The Golden Age saw a great flowering of Dutch Art. You will explore its rise in the first half of the seventeenth century and debate case-studies of two of its greatest exponents- Frans Hals the elder (1582 - 1666) and Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606 - 1669). Our experienced tutor will enable you to consider and reflect upon why the Netherlands was such fertile ground for the growth of the arts in the seventeenth century, evaluate the achievements of Rembrandt as a painter and print maker, describe the rise of portraiture through the work of Frans Hals, and discuss the importance of landscape of to seventeenth-century Dutch Art particularly how it reflected underlying themes in Dutch Society. The tutor will encourage you to participate in class and group discussion in a relaxed and safe environment. Once you have completed this course you will have a greater appreciation of Dutch Art and a visit to the current exhibition of Frans Hals work at the National Gallery is highly recommended! No previous knowledge of art appreciation or Dutch History is necessary. Everyone is invited to join this fascinating course!