European Oil Painting, Dutch School. Circa 1800. River Landscape with figures and boats. Oil on canvas. 

Overall: 16 1/4 X 19 5/8 in. 

Sight: 9 1/8 X 12 3/8 in. 

Depth: 2 1/2 in. 

#2804 . 

The term "Dutch Art" describes the history of visual arts in the Netherlands, after the United Provinces separated from Flanders. Earlier painting in the area is defined as Early Netherlandish, Dutch, or Flemish Renaissance painting. Dutch Golden Age painting, spanning from about 1620 to 1680, was a distinct style and movement that evolved out of the Flemish Baroque tradition. It was a period of great artistic achievement in the Netherlands. There was a healthy artistic climate in Dutch cities during the 17th Century. For example, between 1605 and 1635, over 100,000 paintings were estimated to be produced in the city of Haarlem alone. At that time, art ownership in the city was 25%, a record high. After the end of the Golden Age, production of paintings remained high, but ceased to influence the rest of Europe as strongly. Many painters, sculptors and architects of the 17th Century are referred to as “Dutch (Old) Masters,” while earlier artists are generally referred to as part of the “Netherlandish” tradition. When a work of art is labeled as part of the “Dutch School,” it generally means that the specific artist who created it is unknown.