The Cambridge Companion to the Dutch Golden Age

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

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781316623534
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/23/2018
Series:	Cambridge Companions to Culture
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	450
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 8.98(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

Helmer J. Helmers is Assistant Professor in Early Modern Dutch Literature and Culture at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. His previous publications include The Royalist Republic: Literature, Politics, and Religion in the Anglo-Dutch Public Sphere, 1639–1660 (Cambridge, 2015).

Geert H. Janssen is Professor of Early Modern History at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. He is the author of The Dutch Revolt and Catholic Exile in Reformation Europe (Cambridge, 2014) and Princely Power in the Dutch Republic: Patronage and William Frederick of Nassau, 1613–64 (2008).

Table of Contents

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.

Editorial Reviews

'We should be grateful to the editors for having compiled a companion to the Dutch Golden Age, which attracts so much interest from the anglophone world, since there is no good modern survey in English … The lineup of collaborators, from big names to young scholars, and the range of subjects are impressive.' Jan Bloemendal, Renaissance Quarterly

'This is the best introduction to the Dutch Golden Age available in any language today. Lively and accessible, it is also wide-ranging and authoritative, drawing on the latest research to offer a host of fresh perspectives. This combination of qualities is perfect for students and general readers alike.' Benjamin J. Kaplan, University College London

‘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

From the Publisher