Observers in the seventeenth century described the Netherlands as the world’s marketplace. Dutch merchants possessed a capitalist mindset and benefited from innovations in naval and military technology. The Dutch East India Company, which was established in 1602 as the world’s first multinational corporation, aimed to dominate trade in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, significantly altering the global economy. Consequently, new commodities flowed to the Dutch Republic, transforming a small nation into immense wealth. This influx of resources fueled an artistic boom, leading to the emergence of renowned Dutch artists such as Hals, Rembrandt, Ruisdael, and Ruysch, who continue to be celebrated today.
This exhibition at The High Museum in Atlanta explores how international travel and trade transformed Dutch art and society. It showcases still life paintings featuring imported products, while seascapes, landscapes, and maps reveal the origins of these goods. A dedicated section on cityscapes and maps highlights Amsterdam’s ascent as Europe’s commercial hub. The focus then expands to Dutch portraits, both painted and printed. Local landscapes illustrate how the exposure to global wonders paradoxically reinforced a sense of pride in Dutch topography. The exhibition concludes with exquisite silver and ceramic objects, along with depictions of daily life, showcasing the coexistence of the familiar and the foreign. Throughout, this exhibition emphasizes artistic achievement while inviting visitors to reflect on the human costs associated with global commerce.
