Famous Dutch Painters from Dordrecht, Ancient Capital of Holland

Dordrecht is not only known as the oldest city and ancient capital of Holland but also for the many famous painters who were born or lived in Dordrecht during the late Middle ages and later centuries. Dordrecht was already in the 12th century a prosperous city and is situated between the large rivers of Holland and became the most important trade centre of Holland, as such many people from other areas of Holland and Flanders settled there to set up trade companies who had international contacts all over Europe.

Because of that soon a group of wealthy Patricians arose who were able to collect art, and last but not least the area in and around Dordrecht was an inspiring scene for artists to produce paintings and other art portraying the daily life in a trade city situated at large rivers with sailing and trade activities and idyllic scenes in its surroundings. Most self-respecting painters from outside Dordrecht visited the city because of its importance and position between the rivers. Dordrecht and its rivers became one of the most portrayed cities of Holland by artists all over Europe and many paintings in which Dordrecht is portrayed are now in Museums and in Private collections all over the world.

From the 15th century the art of painting became popular and was not only affordable for Nobility but now also for the city upper-class and merchants thus many artistic citizens became artist in painting and other art. Since that time Dordrecht became the leading city of the Northern Lowlands in painting and would stay the centre of art until it was finally surpassed by Amsterdam in the 18th century.

The work in eighteenth-century painting-company was more versatile than it is today. In the houses were often decorative painting made the requisite skill blurred the boundaries between home, decoration or art work. This combination of activities was necessary, because as an artist not earned enough making the necessary daily expenses.  A familiar example of such a company in Dordrecht was the successful painting shop of the brothers Abraham and Jacob van Strij. Jacob advised young artists to follow him. Only those who distinguished in art were mentioned in the manuals written by contemporaries.

The most famous painters between 1500 and 2000 from Dordrecht were :

Ascending from 1520 to 1907

On the next pages you can find many works from these famous painters who were responsible for many styles of paintings and they immortalized the daily life and landscapes in the 15th to 19th century. Most of their masterpieces are nowadays part of collections in museums all over the world and of which many can be seen in the local Dordrechts Museum.

Index

In Alphabetical order

Next : Famous painters from Dordrecht, Part 1