For the Netherlands, the 17th century is considered the “Golden Age”. The economy of the small country flourished greatly as a result of the expansion of seafaring and trade. In the course of the years, the predominantly Protestant bourgeoisie attained great wealth and prosperity, and this was confidently displayed. As a result, the fine arts also flourished. In particular, the production of landscape, portrait and still-life painting soared to heights never again reached in Holland during the Golden Age.
The approximately sixty Dutch still lifes of the 17th and 18th centuries presented in the Kunstforum are among the most precious treasures of the Schwerin collections. On display were outstanding examples from all genres: magnificent flower arrangements, kitchen pieces, hunting and forest floor motifs. The exhibition included works by the genres most famous figures: Jan van Huysum (1682 – 1749), who was called the “Phönix der Blumenmale,” Pieter Claesz (1597/98 – 1660), Isaak Soreau (1604-unknown), Willem van Aelst (1626 – 1683), Otto Marseus van Schrieck (1619/20 – 1678), Willem Kalf (1619 – 1693), Rachel Ruysch (1664 – 1750) and Jan Davidsz. de Heem (1606 – 1684).