Amsterdam in the Time of Rembrandt, Hals, and the 'Little Dutchmen'

What to Expect

Dutch Life and Traditions in the 17th Century
You will get acquainted with the everyday life of craftsmen, merchants, and aristocrats of Amsterdam during the Golden Age: learn how they dressed, how they dealt with fires or floods, what they ate, how they got married, and which god they believed in. We will discuss the urban sewage system of the 17th century, child rearing, and punishments for disobedient offspring. You will discover how buyers were lured to shops in Holland centuries ago, how holidays were celebrated, what popular festivities and games of that time were like.

Gastronomic Life of Old Amsterdam
Over coffee with a magnificent apple pie in one of the coziest places in the city, we will discuss what the Dutch ate and drank during the Golden Age. You will understand why modest breakfasts in the works of the 'little Dutchmen' gave way to luxurious desserts by Calf, and learn how dietary changes were connected to the attitude towards the great Rembrandt's art. And of course, such matters cannot be discussed without trying Dutch herring. We will definitely try it - and not just that!

All the Fascinating Details about the Northern Renaissance
Dutch painting of the Golden Age will rightfully become one of the main topics of our tour. We will talk about the legendary painting 'Night Watch', try to debunk the myths about the painting together, and understand why the 'decline' of the artist began with this work. We will visit Rembrandt's house and talk about his family. You will learn why all the artists of the Golden Age mainly painted guard and boardroom scenes, and also learn to recognize the greediest character in a group portrait of the 17th century. And we will tell you what background you should look at Vermeer's or Hals's works against.

Unusual Facts about the Golden Age in Holland
You will visit one of the most picturesque courtyards of Amsterdam, which is associated with legends of resurrected corpses and something even worse, and peek into a few other non-touristic corners of the city. We will talk about why peasants and small shopkeepers in the 17th century bought paintings, where the prohibition on depicting the 'divine' originated from, and the great adventure connected to this prohibition. And finally, we will tell you what to pay special attention to when visiting the Rijksmuseum.

As a result, you will not only learn about life in the Netherlands in the 17th century, but will also be able to engage in conversations about the Northern Renaissance with connoisseurs of Dutch art.