The Cambridge Companion to the Dutch Golden Age

An accessible introduction to the political, economic, literary, and artistic heritage of the Dutch Republic in the seventeenth century.

Helmer J. Helmers (Edited by), Geert H. Janssen (Edited by)

9781316623534, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 23 August 2018

450 pages, 39 b/w illus. 3 maps 2 tables
22.8 x 15.3 x 2 cm, 0.73 kg

'Every chapter sets out how academic approaches and controversies have developed in recent decades, mapping the questions now being asked about the period, and providing useful introductions not so much for general readers as for specialists whose expertise lies elsewhere.' Paul Arblaster, Early Modern Low Countries

During the seventeenth century, the Dutch Republic was transformed into a leading political power in Europe, with global trading interests. It nurtured some of the period's greatest luminaries, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Descartes and Spinoza. Long celebrated for its religious tolerance, artistic innovation and economic modernity, the United Provinces of the Netherlands also became known for their involvement with slavery and military repression in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. This Companion provides a compelling overview of the best scholarship on this much debated era, written by a wide range of experts in the field. Unique in its balanced treatment of global, political, socio-economic, literary, artistic, religious, and intellectual history, its nineteen chapters offer an indispensable guide for anyone interested in the world of the Dutch Golden Age.

Introduction: understanding the Dutch Golden Age Helmer J. Helmers and Geert H. Janssen
Part I. Space and People: 1. Urbanization Maarten Prak
2. Water and land J. L. Price
3. Migration Geert H. Janssen
Part II. A State of War: 4. The armed forces Pepijn Brandon
5. The cult and memory of war and violence Judith Pollmann
Part III. Political Culture: 6. The body politic David Onnekink
7. Popular participation and public debate Helmer J. Helmers
Part IV. Economy and Trade: 8. A market economy Danielle van den Heuvel
9. Global trade Michiel van Groesen
Part V. Religious Culture: 10. Reformed Protestantism Charles H. Parker
11. Religious tolerance Christine Kooi
12. Spiritual culture Angela Vanhaelen
Part VI. Art and Literature: 13. The markets for art, books and luxury goods Claartje Rasterhoff
14. Genre painting Wayne Franits
15. The world of literature Theo Hermans
16. Dutch classicism in Europe Stijn Bussels
Part VII. Realms of Knowledge: 17. Education Dirk van Miert
18. Science and technology Harold J. Cook
19. Radical thought Jonathan Israel
Epilogue: the legacy of the Dutch Golden Age Helmer J. Helmers and Geert H. Janssen.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]