River View 1815 - 1849

Aelbert Cuyp painted this 'River View' sometime in the mid-17th century using oil on canvas. Here we see a familiar theme in Dutch Golden Age painting: the celebration of the nation’s economic power and the social relations it enabled. Notice how Cuyp’s serene composition gives visual form to the idea of Dutch prosperity. The waterway bustles with ships, and the people on board seem relaxed and prosperous. The Dutch flag flutters proudly, a symbol of the nation's maritime power and global trade networks. But the artist's work did more than just celebrate the status quo, it also served to legitimize the power of institutions that benefited from this economic activity, like the Dutch East India Company. To fully understand this artwork, consider how the social, political, and economic forces shaped its creation. By researching the history of the Dutch Golden Age, we can better understand how art served as a tool for both reflecting and shaping society.