The Dutch Golden Age was a period in Dutch history, roughly equivalent to the 17th century, in which Dutch trade, science and art were top ranking in the world.
The accompanying article about the Dutch Golden Age focusses on society, religion and culture. There is also an article about the Eighty Years War, the Dutch Revolt against Spain. A concise broader picture is painted in History of the Netherlands.
People are listed here per category in order of year of birth.
Note: Many Dutchmen from this period had a middle name ending on szoon, which means son of. It is also commonly written as sz., for instance Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn.
Anton van Leeuwenhoek who invented or greatly improved the microscope (opinions differ) and was the first to methodically study microscopic life, thus laying the foundations for the field of cell biology.
Painting
The most famous Dutch painters of the 17th century were
The most famous Dutch architects of the 17th century were
Lieven de Key (1560-1627), master builder of Haarlem. He still used a fair amount of ornamentation, built De Waag (1598), front of the Town Hall (1597), De Vleeshal (1602-1603), New Church tower (1613), all of which are in Haarlem
Hendrick de Keyser (1565-1621). He preferred a style that was much sober than his contemporary Lieven de Key, built the Zuiderkerk (1606-1614), the Westerkerk (1620-1638) and the Exchange (1608-1611) in Amsterdam, Town Hall of Delft (1619), several canal houses in Amsterdam (see also section sculpture)
Jacob van Campen (1595-1657). He embraced classicism fully and served as an example for many colleagues, built the Mauritshuis in The Hague (1635), the Dam Palace in Amsterdam (1648-1655), which was originally the town hall, now a royal palace,
Less famous architects from this period were
Hans Vredeman de Vries (1527-1606), architect in Antwerp, used a lot of ornamentation
Arent van 's-Gravenzande (..-1662), built De Lakenhal (1639) and the Marekerk (1638-1640), both in Leiden, and the Oostkerk (1646) in Middelburg
Philip Vingboons (1607-1678), built many canal houses in Amsterdam in classicistic style
Adriaen Dortsman (1625-1682), built the Lutherian Church in Amsterdam
Elias Bouman (1636-1686), built the Portuguese-Israelitic Synagogue in Amsterdam (1671/1675)
Maurits Post (1645-1677), built Slot Amerongen (1676)
Literature
The most famous Dutch men of letters of the 17th century were
Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679), poet and playwright, who wrote more than 30 plays, many of those based on biblical stories. After The Gijsbrecht (see above) his best known drama is Lucifer (1654). He translated many French, Italian, Latin and Greek works. A recurring theme is man's inner conflicts, on the one hand rebellious, on the other hand pledging obedience to God.
Gerbrand Adriaensz. Bredero (1585-1618), poet (sonnets) and dramatist (comedies), his most famous comedy, De Spaanse Brabander (English: The Spanish Brabanter), describes the seamy side of life in Amsterdam
Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (1581-1647), historian, poet and dramatist, who wrote Nederlandsche Historiën (English: Dutch History), which was never completed, but highly valued. His poetry was of high standard as well. He introduced French and Italian lyricism into Dutch poetry.
Jacob Cats (1577-1660), poet, famous for his moralistic writings. Houwelijck and Trouringh (English:Marriage and Wedding ring) are two major volumes to educate the Dutch about these serious affairs. Indeed his all too serious tone, lacking humour and esprit, made him a lesser writer than the three named above, and sometimes the object of mockery. His Kinderen zijn hinderen (English: Children are a nuisance) is still a Dutch saying, often followed by the remark that Cats probably had forgotten that he had been a child himself.
Karel van Mander (1548-1606), who wrote the Schilderboeck, a book about painting, and also several biografies about painters
Justus de Harduyn (1582-1636), poet from the southern Low Countries
Jacob Revius (1586-1658), poet but worked also on the new bible translation known as the Statenbijbel that appeared in 1637 and is still in use today in some protestant circles
Hendrick de Keyser (1565-1621). De Keyser was also an architect (see above). He created the Mausoleum for William of Orange in the Nieuwe Kerk (English: New Church) in Delft (1614). All ruling descendants of Willem of Orange and their kin have been interred here to this date. De Keyser also created the statue of Erasmus in Rotterdam (1618)
Artus Quellinus de Oude (1609-1668), Artus Quellinues de Jonge (his nephew) (1625-1700) and Rombout Verhulst (1625-1696), all sculpturists from the southern Low Countries, were most prominent among the sculpturists that decorated the townhall, now known as Dam Palace (1648-1655).
Music
The most famous Dutch composers of the 17th century were
Jan P. Sweelinck (1562-1621) composer and organ player, major force in the development of 17th century organ music
Constantijn Huygens (1596-1687) more famous as a poet, member of the famous chamber of rhetoric De Muiderkring , composed some 800 pieces, most of which got lost, promoted use of the organ during church services
Less famous composers/musicians from this period were
Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (September 14, 1547–May 13, 1619) was a Dutch statesman, who played an important role in the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain.
