Tradition has it that the young American republic had a
natural affinity with the 17th-century Dutch oligarchy--they shared
concepts of democracy, religious freedom, the rise of the middle
class, and a protestant work ethic. Bostonians from the 18th
century to the present have turned this affinity into a passion for
collecting Dutch painting. Landscapes that capture the subtleties
of southern light, cityscapes and church interiors, seascapes,
portraits, genre scenes, and still lifes are among the humble,
precious, everyday subjects that have appealed to them. This book
traces the history of Boston's remarkable collection of Dutch
painting, including little-known works by Rembrandt, Balthasar van
der Ast, Jan van der Heyden, and Jacob van Ruisdael, bringing
together works from private collections usually seen only in their
owner's homes.
Essay by Ronni Baer. Artists include: Balthasar van der Ast,
Franz Hals, Jan van der Heyden, Rembrandt, Jacob Ruisdael.