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Andrew Graham-Dixon examines how a period of economic boom driven by a burgeoning and secular middle class led to the Dutch golden age of the 17th century.

Andrew Graham-Dixon looks at how the seemingly peaceful countries of Holland and Belgium - famous for their tulips and windmills, mussels and chips - were in fact forged in a crucible of conflict and division. He examines how a period of economic boom driven for the first time by a burgeoning and secular middle class led to the Dutch golden age of the 17th century, creating not only the concept of oil painting itself, but the master painters Rembrandt and Vermeer combining art and commerce together as we would recognise it today.

59 minutes

Music Played

  • The Cinematic Orchestra

    Entr'acte (Chapter 3)

  • Miguel D'oliveira

    The Aviator

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon
Producer Ian Leese
Director Ian Leese
Series Producer Silvia Sacco
Executive Producer Basil Comely

Broadcasts

Andrew Graham-Dixon Interview

Read Andrew's thoughts on the art and culture of the Low countries