Wealthy patricians and burghers of dutch urban society commissioned works of art for their guild halls, town halls, and private dwellings. dutch paintings reflected interests of the burgher society, self portraits, group portraits of their military companies and guilds, landscapes, seascapes, genre scenes, still lives, and interiors of residents. they were not interested in realistic portrayal of secular everyday life.

Dutch Realism

Judith Leyster established her own independent painting career. First female member of painting Guild of Saint Luke in Haarlem, it enabled her to set up her own workshop. musicians playing their instruments, women sewing, children laughing while playing games, and actors performing all form the subjects of Leyster's paintings.

Rembrandt painted opulent portraits and grandiose scenes that were often colorful. half of his scenes involved things from biblical tales.

The Proposition

The Night Watch