Dutch 17th Century Painting

Question 1

Merry Company

Answer 1

by Gerrit von Honthorst from 1619-20 in Netherlands

• It is a mix of genre painting and biblical painting.
• Painted for Cosimo II de Medici while Gerit was in Rome
• The lighting of the painting mimics the tenebrism of Caravaggio
• Currently in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence
• Derives from the northern tradition of images representing the prodigal son carousing, taken from Jesus parable in the book of Luke

Question 2

The Procuress

Answer 2

by Gerrit von Honthorst from 1625 in Netherlands

• The patron is unknown and is made for the open market
• Displays the fairy tale version of prostitution which, in real life, was very dangerous within the Dutch Republic
• Currently in the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, Netherlands
• Derives from the northern tradition of images representing the prodigal son carousing, taken from Jesus parable in the book of Luke

Question 3

The Procuress

Answer 3

Dirck van Baburen from 1620 in Netherlands

• Presents a romanticized version of prostitution
• The patron is unknown but it is for the open market
• Currently in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
• Depicts a prostitute receiving a coin from a young man while a turbaned old man is forcibly demanding payment
• Painted three years before Honthorst’s version

Question 4

Boy with a Flute

Answer 4

Frans Haal from 1623-25 in Netherlands

• Depicts an everyday character is a kid playing a flute
• Haal gave it an energetic feel so buyers could purchase this painting
• It is a vanita painting which conveys the shortness of life
• Currently located in one of the Berlin State Museums
• Exemplifies Hal’s style in the first decade of his career

Question 5

Portrait of Man Holding Skull/Portrait of a Woman

Answer 5

Frans Hals from 1611 in Netherlands

• The two portraits are meant for a pendent
• The man’s black clothes represent his sobriety and uprightness
• The husband is holding a momento mori which signifies that man is destined to die
• Currently in the Barber Institute of Fine Arts of Birmingham, England
• Husband and wife were the most common of Hal’s portraits

Question 6

St. Hadrian Civic Guard Company

Answer 6

Frans Hal from 1633 in Netherlands

• Commissioned by the guards within the painting
• Differs from older group portraits due to the dynamic poses while older portraits had stiffer poses
• The company are members of the Regent class of the Dutch Republic
• Currently in the Frans Hals Museum of Haarlem, Netherlands
• The company acted as a police force for the Dutch Republic