Joost van den Vondel was a Dutch playwright, poet, literary translator and writer. He is generally regarded as the greatest writer in the Dutch language as well as an important figure in the history of Western literature. In his native country, Vondel is often called the “Prince of Poets” and the Dutch language is sometimes referred to as “the language of Vondel”. His oeuvre consists of 33 plays, a large number of poems in different genres and forms, an epic poem and many translations of predominantly classical literature. Vondel lived in the Dutch Republic during the Eighty Years' War and became the leading literary figure of the Dutch Golden Age.
Vondel in 1665 by Philips Koninck
Vondel's statue at the Warmoestraat by Gerarda Rueter. The house were Vondel lived for many years no longer exists and to commemorate him a statue has been erected.
The frontispice of Vondel's first play Het Pascha, which shows an image of Mozes and the destruction of the army of the farao in the Red Sea.
The execution of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in 1619 on the Binnenhof in The Hague; one of the most significant moments in the life of Vondel. The illustration is by Claes Jansz. Visscher.
The Dutch Golden Age was a period in the history of the Netherlands which roughly lasted from 1588, when the Dutch Republic was established, to 1672, when the Rampjaar occurred. During this period, Dutch trade, scientific developments, art and overseas colonisation was among the most prominent in Europe. The first half of the period spanned from the beginning of the Eighty Years' War until its conclusion in 1648, with the second half lasting until the outbreak of the Franco-Dutch War. During the period, Dutch colonialists, many of them affiliated with the East India Company and West India Company, established trading posts and colonies in the Americas, Southern Africa and Asia, protected by the powerful Dutch States Navy. The Dutch also dominated the triangular trade and Atlantic slave trade during this period.
The Night Watch by Rembrandt (1642)
Fishing for Souls, allegory of the Protestant-Catholic struggle
A river landscape with fishermen in rowing boats, windmills beyond, 1679
Syndics of the Drapers' Guild by Rembrandt, depicting wealthy Amsterdam burghers.